3 weeks ago
PTI nationwide protests mark three years of Imran Khan's imprisonment
A group in Pakistan called PTI held big protests to remember that their leader, a former Prime Minister named Imran Khan, has been in jail for three years.
People joined rallies in many cities, including Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, and Karachi.
A leader named Sohail Afridi said the group will march to the capital, Islamabad, on September 27 if the government does not agree to their requests.
The group wants to visit Imran Khan freely, let him see his own doctor, and have his court cases heard quickly.
In Karachi, police blocked roads, arrested some protesters, and used tear gas to stop the crowd.
Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023 after being found guilty in court cases that his party says are unfair.
A United Nations expert named Alice Jill Edwards said she is worried that Khan is kept alone in a small room without windows and is not getting proper medical care.
She asked Pakistan to treat him in a more humane way and let him choose his own doctor.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held nationwide protests marking three years of PTI founder Imran Khan's imprisonment.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the party will march on Islamabad on September 27 if its demands are not met.
PTI demands include unrestricted meetings with Khan, treatment by his personal physician, and expeditious hearings of his court cases.
In Karachi, police arrested several PTI leaders and workers and used tear gas and baton charges to disperse demonstrators.
UN Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards raised concerns about Khan's near-total solitary confinement for 33 months and inadequate medical care.
- Who
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), party leaders including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and supporters across Pakistan; Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023.
- What
- Nationwide protests marking three years of Imran Khan's imprisonment, with a planned march on Islamabad on September 27 if PTI demands are not met.
- Where
- Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, Karachi, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Mithi and other parts of Sindh in Pakistan.
- When
- Protests were held on the third anniversary of Imran Khan's imprisonment, which began in August 2023; the events were reported on a Thursday following a Wednesday rally in Peshawar.
- Why
- To demand unrestricted meetings with Imran Khan, treatment from his personal physician, and expeditious hearings of his cases; PTI calls the convictions politically motivated.
PTI and human-rights concerns
Authorities and police
Imran Khan's imprisonment
PTI and human-rights concerns
PTI calls Khan's convictions politically motivated and says he could be released with a 'single signature' but remains jailed for the sake of the country, its people and future generations.
Authorities and police
Khan remains imprisoned following court convictions; the articles report no official government response to the allegations, and police enforced restrictions during the protests.
Handling of nationwide protests
PTI and human-rights concerns
PTI, saying it has lost hope in the courts after the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, plans to march on Islamabad on September 27 if its demands are not met.
Authorities and police
Police in Karachi blocked roads leading to the protest venue, arrested several PTI leaders and workers, and used tear gas and baton charges to disperse demonstrators.
Key facts
- Event
- Nationwide PTI protests marking three years of Imran Khan's imprisonment
- Key figure
- Imran Khan, PTI founder and former Prime Minister of Pakistan
- Imprisoned since
- August 2023
- Threatened action
- March on Islamabad on September 27 announced by Sohail Afridi
- PTI demands
- Unrestricted meetings with Khan, treatment by his personal physician, expeditious court hearings
- Police response in Karachi
- Arrests of PTI leaders and workers; tear gas and baton charges
- UN concern
- Relayed by UN Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards over 33 months of near-total solitary confinement and inadequate medical care
- Khan's medical history
- Spinal injury from a 2013 accident and bullet wounds from a November 2022 assassination attempt
Quotes
Sohail Afridi
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PTI leader
“If these demands are not met, we will march on Islamabad on September 27.”
thehansindia.com
Alice Jill Edwards
UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
“I am also concerned about reports that he is being denied proper medical and is suffering from serious medical issues that have not been treated appropriately, compounding a spinal injury from a 2013 accident and bullet wounds sustained in a November 2022 assassination attempt. I call on Pakistan to restore humane conditions and allow him his choice of medical examination and appropriate treatment.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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