Police crack down on PTI ahead of Aug 5 protest

Days ahead of its planned protest on August 5, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is facing a widespread crackdown, with party leaders going into hiding, workers reporting home raids and several bank accounts reportedly frozen.

PTI leaders and workers allege that police across Punjab have intensified efforts to suppress the protest by launching a campaign of intimidation.

Many party workers lament that since August 1, police have been knocking on doors, forcing workers to sign affidavits promising not to participate in the protest.

The raids have led to panic within PTI ranks, with multiple leaders choosing to go underground to avoid arrest. Party sources claim that the "door-knocking" campaign has expanded rapidly over the past few days.

In addition to the pressure tactics on the ground, several reports have emerged of financial restrictions being imposed on PTI leadership. The bank account of Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed, a senior PTI office-bearer in Punjab, has reportedly been frozen, one of many such cases, according to the party.