LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s 44 workers were released from Kot Lakhpat Jail on Tuesday, who were received and garlanded by party leaders.

The party activists later chanted slogans against the PML-N government.

The PTI workers released from the jail included Mehr Rashid, Umer Hayat Joiya, Muhammad Waseem, Mazhar Bukhari, Imran Rajput and Muhammad Khalid.

Speaking to media persons outside the jail, PTI Central Joint Secretary Shabbir Sial said the Punjab rulers had crossed all limits of state terrorism unleashed against the citizens of Pakistan. He said police had picked PTI workers and continued shifting them to various places besides exerting pressure on them for changing loyalties.

He said the police excesses could not change the public opinion nor it could curtail masses’ basic human rights.

He said the whole nation was now standing with Imran Khan and had rejected the PML-N rulers. He said the Punjab government’s Judicial Commission had held them responsible for mass killings in Model Town.

He said the Sharif brothers should resign and be answerable to public to save Pakistan from further chaos.

Meanwhile, PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry has said the party’s provincial chapter would observe the mass protest on Friday with massive participation across the province.

He said commoners now consider Imran Khan as their last hope and the rulers should get up from their deep slumber in the wake of recent incidents.

Mr Chaudhry said the party would continue holding peaceful protests.

Published in Dawn, September 17th , 2014