Tsunami alert: PTI continues protests across Pakistan
Protests over rigging in the elections scheduled in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and London.
Singer Salman Ahmed can be seen at a PTI anti-rigging protest at Lalik Chowk, Lahore. PHOTO: PTI OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Disgruntled supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) have found solace in the ongoing support for protests against rigging in major cities of the country.
Lahore
A protest against rigging in the NA-122 to NA-125 constituency started on May 12 at Lalik Chowk in the city and has continued till the next day (today).
Shifts of protestors have been scheduled to ensure round-the-clock representation, reported Express News.
Scores of youth, women, seniors and men turned up to show solidarity against the disorganized electoral process.
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Karachi
Supporters of PTI and other disappointed citizens alike protested against the alleged blatant rigging in the city the day after the elections.
Thousands of people gathered at the Teen Talwar in Clifton to demand for reelections all over Karachi. The protest inspired more to join, while also inviting threats from political parties that felt otherwise.
Two more protests have been scheduled for the city on May 13 (today) with one in the heart of the city at Shahrah-e-Faisal and the other closer to the NA-250 constituency at Teen Talwar.
The protests are set to begin at 6:30pm (local time) and may merge depending on turnout.
"These protests are a sign that Karachi has put its foot down. We've been forced into tyranny and oppression for too long, and the last five years proved how our silence can make our citizens suffer. Our demand is peaceful and simple: fair re-elections all over Karachi. We will only accept our governance when voters all over the city are given a fair chance to cast their votes again”, said Amar Abbasi, a supporter and co-organizer of the protests.
Islamabad
Though elections in Islamabad were reportedly fairer than in parts of Sindh and Punjab, PTI supporters decided to rise in the capital to echo the sentiments of others.
"This is showing solidarity to Karachi, Lahore and many more rigged polling stations. The protest is to show we will not remain quiet", said Shahana Khan, a resident of Islamabad and supporter of PTI.
According to an announcement made by the president of the women’s wing in PTI Fauzi Kasuri, there is a protest at D-Chowk at 5:30pm (local time).
Supporters from Rawalpindi have also been invited to join the peaceful protest.
London
A Facebook event invites people to the Pakistan Embassy in London to peacefully demonstrate their disapproval of the alleged rigging.
The event has drawn nearly 2,000 people so far.
The protest is scheduled to be held at the embassy at 4:00pm (London time) and is aimed at gathering support from overseas Pakistani’s among other international communities.
The event page on Facebook suggests that the PTI London team will be joining the protest and emails have been sent out to all volunteers of the PTI United Kingdom wing.
Online petitions
A petition is being shared over social media to gather support for complaint letters to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The petition is on Change.org and has garnered over 6,000 signatures so far. The petition can be found here.