New Delhi: Amid ongoing violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Imran Khan’s party, the PTI, took to the streets on Wednesday. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), organized nationwide protests to mark the third anniversary of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest.
The biggest rally was held in Peshawar
Authorities in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan denied permission for rallies. Despite police crackdowns, PTI workers emerged from their homes. The largest rally was held in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Senior party leader Sheikh Waqas Akram said everyone was asked to hold peaceful protests in their respective areas. He alleged that in several places, police took action against activists. Despite this, people still took to the streets in large numbers.
PTI says this movement is not just for the release of Imran Khan. The party is also calling for the restoration of democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law.
Many leaders including sisters participated
Imran Khan’s two sisters also attended the rally in Peshawar. Former PTI minister Moonis Elahi said that Imran Khan is facing many difficulties in jail. He is not being allowed to meet his family and is not receiving proper medical treatment.
Human rights organization Amnesty International also questioned the government. Isabelle Lacy, the organization’s acting South Asia director, said Imran Khan was denied a fair trial, held in solitary confinement for extended periods, and was denied access to medical treatment and family visits.
According to Amnesty, Imran has not seen his family for the past eight months. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have not been granted regular access to lawyers since December 2025.
Why is Imran in jail?
73-year-old Imran Khan has been in jail since August 5, 2023. He was arrested after being convicted in a corruption case. He was later granted relief in some cases, but other cases are still ongoing. Therefore, he remains behind bars.
PTI lawyer Abuzar Salman Niazi claimed that more than 20 workers were arrested in Mianwali, Punjab to prevent them from joining the protest.
The party has made it clear that regardless of the administration’s actions, their movement will not stop until Imran Khan is released. Pakistan’s politics has once again heated up amid the violence in PoK and internal opposition.