PTI workers' sit-in enters 16th day at Swabi Motorway rest area

SWABI:

A small group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers from Swabi, Swat, Peshawar, and other districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa continued their protest sit-in for the 16th day on Saturday at the rest area near Swabi Interchange on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway.

The demonstration began on February 13, when PTI activists from across the province blocked the motorway to demand that jailed party founder Imran Khan be shifted from Adiala Jail to Al-Shifa International Hospital (or similar facility) for proper medical treatment, amid concerns over his health, particularly reported issues with his eyesight.

For the first five days, protesters completely halted traffic on the motorway, causing significant disruptions. However, following directives from the Peshawar High Court, police intervened to restore flow, after which most participants dispersed. A handful of dedicated workers persisted with the sit-in, maintaining their vigil at the site.

Speaking to reporters, the remaining protesters sharply criticized senior PTI leadership, including former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, former provincial ministers Shahram Khan Tarkai and Abdul Karim Khan, and the party's broader top brass.