PTI all set to ‘take to streets’ for Imran’s release today

• Party says Peshawar event will be centrepiece of its campaign • Rawalpindi admin denies permission for Liaquat Bagh rally • Aleema pins hopes on Afridi ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR/KARACHI: Reaffir­ming its unity, the opposition PTI will stage countrywide protests today (Wednesday) to mark three years since the imprisonment of party founder Imr­an Khan and demand his release, with the Peshawar gathering serving as the centrepiece of its campaign. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told Dawn it had been decided that a public meeting would be held in Peshawar, while regional and local organisations in the other three provinces had been directed to hold protests at their convenience. “It cannot be ignored that raids and crackdowns have been launched against PTI workers in other provinces, particularly Punjab, “ he said. Replying to a question, Mr Akram said that alth­o­u­­gh protests would be held, there would be no vio­len­­ce, as “there is no space for violence in PTI.” “However, we expect that voters who supported PTI in the Feb 8 general elections will come out of their homes and show solidarity with Imran Khan,” he added. “We appeal to the entire nation to participate fully in the historic rally in Peshawar and in peaceful protests across the country, and to raise their voice for democracy, the Constitution, the rule of law, and the people’s right to rule,” Mr Akram said. Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s sisters and PTI lawyers reached Adiala jail on Tu­­esday, but were not allowed to meet him. Aleema Khan said the movement for Imran Khan’s release had already begun and hoped the KP chief minister would announce its next phase on Aug 5. PTI focal person Advocate Awais Younas Chaudhry, while speaking to Dawn, said party lawyers had reached Adiala jail but were not permitted to meet Imran Khan. Peshawar rally PTI’s Khyber Pakhtun­khwa chapter will also hold a protest rally today near the Motorway in Peshawar and will be attended by PTI provincial president MNA Junaid Akbar Khan, Chief Minis­ter Sohail Afridi and other party leaders. PTI Provincial Deputy Secretary Information Ikram Khattana told Dawn that the chief minister and other senior party leaders would announce the future line of action for Imran Khan’s release during the rally. Karachi protest In Karachi, PTI plans to stage a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club today as part of its nation-wide protests, amid fears of a strong response from the city administration and law enforcement agencies. The apprehensions were reinforced after PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar told Dawn that despite repeated requests and a written application seeking permission to hold the protest outside the press club, the administration had neither approved nor rejected the request. Mr Azhar added that the silence had heightened concerns that the authorities might once again seal roads and restrict access to the venue. Permission denied Meanwhile, the Rawal­pindi district administration has rejected PTI’s application seeking permission to hold a public meeting at Liaquat Bagh, citing security concerns. However, the party announced that it would hold protest demonstrations at Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road and other parts of the garrison city. PTI leaders alleged that local police arrested nine party activists and workers from different parts of the district. PTI District President Chaudhry Ameer Afzal met Deputy Commissioner Capt (Retired) Nadeem Nasir. During the meeting, the DC informed him that the District Intelligence Committee had refused to grant permission for the public gathering because Youm-i-Istehsal-i-Kashmir would be observed on Aug 5. After the meeting, PTI District President Chaudhry Ameer Afzal told Dawn that the party had no option but to take to the streets. “We will stage protest demonstrations at Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road and other parts of the garrison city to demand the release of Imran Khan,” he said. Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026