Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to continue a nationwide protest campaign demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan. Addressing a large public rally in Muzaffarabad, party leaders strongly criticised what they described as political discrimination and restrictions on democratic rights.
The rally, held at Upper Adda (Lal Chowk), witnessed a significant turnout of supporters from across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Participants waved PTI, Pakistani, and Kashmiri flags while chanting slogans in support of Imran Khan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi, while addressing the gathering, announced that the next phase of PTI’s protest movement would begin from Kashmir. He urged supporters to actively participate in upcoming elections and safeguard their votes, emphasising the importance of democratic rights.
Afridi also criticised the authorities for allegedly creating obstacles, including road blockages, to disrupt political gatherings. He claimed that despite court permissions, he was denied meetings with Imran Khan, calling it a violation of legal and constitutional rights.
The PTI leadership reiterated that Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, is being unjustly imprisoned. They stressed that all legal and democratic avenues have been pursued but have not yielded results, prompting the continuation of public protests.
Former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also addressed the rally, expressing solidarity with Imran Khan and vowing to respond to every protest call issued by the party.
The event highlights PTI’s ongoing political mobilisation strategy, linking public protests with upcoming electoral processes. Party leaders indicated that a major protest announcement is expected soon, signaling an intensification of the campaign across the country.
