PTI activists protest outside Adiala Jail

Raise concerns about alleged mistreatment of party's founder

RAWALPINDI:

Female activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest outside Adiala Jail, demanding the release of the party's founder and raising concerns about alleged mistreatment within the facility.

Tensions escalated when police manhandled media personnel covering the demonstration, pushing cameramen and reporters to stop filming, even in the presence of Saddar Division SP Nabil Khokhar.

A significant number of female PTI activists, led by party leader Kanwal Shauzab, gathered outside the jail, holding placards and chanting slogans for their leader's release. Due to the large turnout, heavy police presence was deployed.

Speaking to the media, Kanwal condemned the Adiala police for their aggressive tactics, stating that while the police were armed, the protesters were unarmed and peacefully expressing their opinions. She argued that suppressing dissent undermined the country's prosperity, emphasising that the PTI founder was enduring harsh conditions in jail.

Shauzab criticised the Punjab government for escalating the situation and noted that the mistreatment of the PTI founder would not garner public support for those in power. She also condemned comments made by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, warning that if any harm came to the PTI founder, former premier Nawaz Sharif would be held accountable.

The protest, which lasted over an hour, remained peaceful, yet Shauzab expressed concern that false charges might be filed against the participants.