PTI activists hold rallies against ‘rigging’ in by-polls

Published April 27, 2024
Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Women Wing protest outside Peshawar Press Club on Friday. — White Star
Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Women Wing protest outside Peshawar Press Club on Friday. — White Star

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf activists on Friday staged demonstrations and rallies against the alleged rigging in the April-21 by-elections, and to demand release of the incarcerated party’s founding chairman Imran Khan.

The demonstrations were staged on the call of the party’s central leadership.

The protesters chanted slogans and also held banners and placards with different party slogans.

In the provincial capital, rallies and demonstrations were staged at 12 different locations, including Nasir Bagh Road, Hayatabat, Namak Mandi, Ring Road, Kohat Road, Charsadda Road, interior city and GT Road.

Similarly, a group of women workers of PTI also staged a rally outside the Peshawar Press Club.

Demand release of Imran from jail

Addressing the party workers of his constituency, higher education minister Meena Khan Afridi regretted the registration of cases against PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, terming such cases as without any justification.

He insisted that the mandate stolen from PTI in the previous general election should be returned to the party.

The PTI workers also took out a rally in Bannu district in protest against ‘rigging’ in by-elections, and demanded release of party’s founder and former prime minister Imran Khan from jail.

A local PTI leader, Malik Zafar Hayat led the rally, which converged in front of the press club building after passing through different bazaars.

PTI’s south region deputy secretary Sikandar Hayat, Baseer Ali Shah, brother of MNA Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Malik Shakil, Malik Suleman Ghaznavi, former nazim Malik Khalid Riaz, former district councillor Abdul Razzaq, Sarhadullah of Insaf Labour Wing, Malik Zohran Khan and a good number of party activists participated.

The speakers said around 200 cases had been registered against the former prime minister and the party workers had been subjected to the worst kind of barbarism after the May 9, 2023 riots.

They alleged after stealing the mandate of PTI in the general elections held in February, the by-polls were also rigged to turn the victory of party-backed candidates into defeat. They said they would continue their protest till the release of Imran Khan and restoration of ‘real’ democracy in the country.

In Shangla, PTI activists blocked the Bisham-Swat Road in Alpuri to protest the ‘rigging’ and incarceration of Imran Khan.

PTI local leaders Habibur Rehman, Sardar Khan, Islam Zada, Ajmal Khan, Gul Hamrooz and others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers criticised the federal government and demanded immediate release of Imran Khan.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...