ISLAMABAD (AP) — Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan rallied on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, on Sunday. They demanded his release. Imran Khan’s imprisonment has continued for more than a year. This imprisonment relates to over 150 police cases. Many view these cases as attempts to stifle political dissent, which fuels widespread discontent among Khan’s supporters.
Khan, the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, remains popular despite these cases. Critics and his party claim that politicians have motivated these cases. The parliament ousted him in 2022 through a no-confidence vote. Khan’s leadership style and policies had garnered significant support, which remains evident in the passionate demonstrations held by his followers.
Protests Intensify Over Imran Khan’s Imprisonment
On Sunday, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party, or PTI, held one of the biggest rallies this year peacefully, though police briefly clashed with some activists. The demonstration featured speeches from key PTI leaders and included a march through the city, underscoring the scale of the protest.
Khan’s spokesman Zulfi Bukhari denounced the police action against his “peaceful” supporters, in a statement. He emphasized that the rally’s peaceful nature contrasted sharply with the aggressive measures taken by authorities.
Earlier, authorities had blocked key roads by putting shipping containers to prevent his supporters from attending the rally. Authorities took this measure to deliberately disrupt the mobilization of Khan’s supporters and limit their visibility.
“God willing, we will secure the release of Imran Khan soon,” said Ali Amin, the top elected official in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, addressing the rally. Amin’s words echoed the sentiments of many in the crowd, who were hopeful yet impatient for a resolution.
He gave an ultimatum of two weeks to the government for his leader’s release. The deadline reflects the increasing pressure on the current administration and the high stakes involved in resolving Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
Since 2023, authorities have imprisoned Imran Khan after sentencing him in a graft case. His continued incarceration remains a major point of contention in Pakistani politics, with ongoing debates about the fairness of his trial and the implications for democratic processes in the country.
This news is sourced from AP News and is intended for informational purposes only.
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