K-P rallies demand release of Imran

PTI, PkMAP take out joint rallies in Quetta, other cities in Balochistan

PESHAWAR/QUETTA:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Tuesday organised processions and rallies across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to demand the release of founding president Imran Khan on the second anniversary of his imprisonment.

The province is considered to be a stronghold of the party. In a message attributed to Khan on his party's X account on Monday, he urged supporters to "come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored in the country".

The demonstrators were carrying placards calling on the federal government to immediately release Khan, his wife, and other detained activists, declaring cases against them "false".

Balochistan

Opposition parties in Balochistan staged joint protest rallies on Tuesday against what they termed political victimisation of the opposition.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) took out joint demonstrations.

The rallies were held in Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, and several other districts, drawing large crowds of supporters who chanted slogans in favour of jailed PTI leader Imran Khan and demanded his immediate release.

Addressing a gathering in Quetta, PKMAP senior leader Rahim Ziaratwal said that democracy cannot survive if political voices are silenced, adding that his party stands with all those facing injustice and will not be deterred by pressure or intimidation.

PTI's Noor Khan Khilji said the people of Balochistan have risen to defend their democratic rights and vowed to continue the struggle until every citizen enjoys equal political freedom without fear of reprisal.

Protesters accused the government of failing to address public grievances and said only Imran Khan's leadership could steer the country out of the prevailing crisis.