The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged widespread protests across Punjab on Friday, defying the government’s imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bans public gatherings for seven days. The protests were aimed at demanding the release of their incarcerated leader, Imran Khan.
The day began with Punjab police resuming raids on PTI leaders’ homes and offices in Lahore and other districts. PTI had announced nationwide protests, prompting the police to take preemptive action. Raiding parties reportedly caused significant damage to properties, smashing furniture and other items. PTI leaders and workers shared images and videos of the damage on social media.
Despite the ban, PTI supporters took to the streets in several cities across Punjab. Carrying party flags, banners, and placards, they chanted slogans demanding Imran Khan’s release. In Lahore, rallies were held in the constituencies of PP-163, PP-174, and NA-129. PTI Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar highlighted the defiance on Twitter, noting that Lahore had ignored what he termed as “de facto Martial Law and illegal Curfew.”
Large rallies were also reported in Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Okara, Jhang, Burewala, Khanewal, Zafarwal, Vehari, and other areas. The Home Secretary, Noorul Amin Mengal, justified the imposition of Section 144 by citing deteriorating law and order and potential security threats, suggesting that public gatherings could become targets for terrorists.
Police actions included raiding the residence of Chaudhry Mudassar in Lahore, resulting in the arrest of his brother, Chaudhry Mubeen, an advocate. Similar arrests occurred in Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, and Okara, with notable figures such as Chaudhry Nazir, Malik Allah Din, and Malik Khawar being detained.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and senior PTI figure, Omar Ayub, criticized the imposition of Section 144 as a deliberate attempt to undermine PTI’s planned protests. The party called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan to seek explanations from the Punjab Chief Minister, the Interior Minister, and the Home Secretary regarding the ban.
In Rawalpindi, a motorbike rally was also held, according to social media posts. PTI leader from Islamabad, Amir Mughal, recounted how police interrupted their protest at Bahria Enclave, arresting about 12 workers while he and Shoaib Shaheen managed to escape.
The PTI spokesperson condemned the government’s actions, asserting that the imposition of Section 144 violated constitutional rights. “The government has been violating the constitution for the last two years and there is a law of the jungle in Pakistan,” the spokesperson stated. He emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and criticized the government’s justification for detaining Imran Khan on what he termed as false charges.
PTI’s central information secretary, Raoof Hasan, condemned the government’s actions, describing them as a “shameful act on the part of the entire Form-47 criminal government.”
The PTI has challenged the government’s move in the Lahore High Court, seeking to overturn the ban and continue their protests for the release of Imran Khan.