BAJAUR/HARIPUR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Thursday took out rallies in Bajaur and Haripur districts to protest police crackdown on party workers in Lahore and demand elections.

A large number of party workers along with scores of cars and motorcycles participated in the rally, which started from Haji Lawang area of Khar tehsil and ended in Barkholozo of Mamund tehsil after passing through different places in Bajaur tribal district.

The participants of the rally, led by Rehanzeb Khan and other, chanted slogans in the support of PTI chairman Imran Khan and against the police action.

The charged party workers condemned police action against PTI activists in Lahore on Wednesday and imposition of Section 144 by the Punjab government.

They rally, which turned in to a public gathering in Barkholozo area, was addressed by Rehanzeb Khan, Dr Hazrat Yousaf, Hanif Khan, Najeeb Khan and others.

The speakers called the police action against PTI activists totally unlawful, inhuman and unconstitutional. They also expressed concerns over the killing of a party activist and wounding of several others during the police action in Lahore on Wednesday.

In Haripur, PTI staged a protest rally to condemn inflation and delay in holding elections in the country.

PTI workers and chairmen of various village and neighbourhood councils of the district gathered at Sidique Akbar Chowk and marched to Mochi Bazar Chowk. They were led by former MNA Omar Ayub Khan.

The speakers on the occasion condemned delay in elections in the country and said that despite clear orders by the apex court rulers were dragging feet on the matter.

They accused the Election Commission of Pakistan and government of leading the country to the brink of anarchy. They said that use of chemical laden water on PTI workers and subjecting them to torture in Lahore were proofs of their intentions.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2023