PTI denounces arrest of protestors

Says Sindh akin to 'martial law-like regime'

KARACHI:

Peaceful protests erupted in various cities of Sindh, called by the Pakistan Constitution Protection Movement Alliance, demanding the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including Imran Khan, freedom of the judiciary, and against rising inflation.

The protests took place in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Larkana divisions. Despite being peaceful, police arrested over 50 PTI and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) workers.

PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh was stopped by police when he visited PTI leader Saud Farooqi's house in Tando Muhammad Khan, where a significant police presence, equipped with tear gas, attempted to block his entry. He criticised police's actions, saying that Sindh is under a martial law-like regime, not democracy under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Speaking to the media, Sheikh criticised the police for targeting PTI members instead of criminals. He declared that peaceful protests, which are a constitutional right, would continue until Imran Khan and other PTI leaders are released. He accused the Sindh government of turning the province into a no-go area for PTI and challenged Bilawal to compete politically as it is better than suppressing opposition.

After a court appearance in Hyderabad, Sheikh reiterated that no one can ban PTI, the country's largest party, which has substantial representation in the National and Provincial Assemblies. He highlighted that peaceful protests would persist and condemned police actions against PTI workers.

Haleem Adil Sheikh stated that protests are taking place across the country in collaboration with allied parties. Every tehsil in Sindh has recorded protests, including peaceful demonstrations in every tehsil of Sindh Province, but police assaulted workers at various locations. The entire nation demands the release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and all other leaders, the end of rising inflation, and complete independence of judiciary.