PTI gears up for fresh Punjab-wide protests

Despite challenges after organising public rallies in Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a fresh call for a series of protests across various districts in Punjab, including the provincial capital, Lahore.

The opposition party's political committee announced on Tuesday via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that simultaneous protest rallies would take place in six districts of Punjab between October 11 and October 14.

The demonstrations are aimed at advocating for the supremacy of the constitution, judicial independence, and the release of PTI founder Imran Khan who remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail.

The party's new protest schedule includes rallies in Multan and Sahiwal on October 11, Gujranwala and Sargodha on October 12, Dera Ghazi Khan on October 13, and Lahore and Faisalabad on October 14.

Additionally, PTI has indicated plans for a nationwide call for a public rally in Islamabad, pending further discussions among its political committee members.

PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser confirmed that the party has revised its strategy, shifting its focus to district-level protests instead of concentrating on larger cities and the federal capital.

"A comprehensive plan for district-level protests is being finalised, and a new schedule of public rallies will be announced soon," Qaiser said.

Meanwhile, in a video message to party supporters, PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood praised the party workers and residents of Lahore who showed courage and took part in demonstrations on October 5, despite facing "state fascism".

He reiterated that the protests would continue until the release of Imran Khan, adding that over 150 PTI members and leaders had been detained during peaceful demonstrations.

Mahmood paid rich tributes to PTI's Lahore legal team who worked day and night to dismiss the cases of more than 800 workers and assured party workers that the party's legal team was working for their release, with expectations that they would be reunited with their families before Saturday.

Mahmood said the party was determined to persist in its campaign for the independence of the judiciary, the supremacy of the constitution, and the release of its leader.

PTI also highlighted the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies and local administrations, claiming that such actions were only aimed at demoralising the party's supporters.

As an example, PTI shared a video showing the Punjab Police and local administration using heavy machinery to demolish the house of PTI MNA Chaudhry Javed Iqbal Warraich in Rahim Yar Khan.

The PTI will now shift its focus to district-level protests instead of heading towards Islamabad and major cities.

PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser confirmed the new strategy. "A plan for district-level protests is being developed, and the party spokesperson will soon announce the policy," said Qaiser.