[PICTURES/VIDEOS] PTI Protests and Rallies

[The Bald Eagle]

Strategy devised for civil disobedience, says Hamid Raza

Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that the strategy of the proposed civil disobedience movement has been devised, claiming it would be more successful than the 2014 one.

Speaking during ARY News programme ‘Sawaal Ye Hai’, Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepared the plan for the civil disobedience movement.

PTI founder Imran Khan, in a message posted on X yesterday, threatened to start a civil disobedient movement, calling on supporters to hold a rally in Peshawar on December 13.

Responding to a question, Sahibzada Hamid Raza revealed that he was already aware of the proposed movement even before its public announcement on X, with the issue being discussed during his meeting with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail.

Read More: PTI founder warns of ‘civil disobedience’, if demands not met: Aleema Khan

He claimed that this time the movement would be more successful than the movement in 2014.

Hamid Raza said that different proposals are under consideration in this regard, and we would proceed step by step.

The SIC head emphasised that negotiations are their topmost priority, but only with those who hold real power, as PTI will only resort to civil obedience if talks fail, adding, that a committee has been for negotiations with the government.

“We are ready to talk with the government if it has powers, but it has to show its author
ity”, he added.

Source: Ary News

 

[FearlessRoar]

Fake News Watchdog slams misinformation during PTI protests, calls for urgent action​

A newly released report by the Fake News Watchdog has detailed the spread of fabricated news during the recent protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), debunking several widely circulated stories while pointing to the damaging impact of misinformation, Express News reported.

The report found that Express News did not publish any fake news during the protests. The Fake News Watchdog confirmed that no content from Express Media Group was deemed false, emphasising that the issue lay primarily with national and social media platforms, where misinformation ran rampant.

"The fake news surrounding the protests has had a devastating impact," said the report. "The unchecked spread of unverified information has tarnished Pakistan's global image."

The watchdog’s investigation specifically cited several false claims that made headlines during the protests. Among the most notable was a fabricated statement attributed to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding citizens from Azad Kashmir.

There were also ongoing false reports surrounding a video message allegedly from PTI founder Imran Khan as well as fake news concerning the arrests of Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi.

Other misleading stories that spread included false reports of hundreds of bodies at PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals, and fabricated breaking news about Asad Qaiser’s appointment as PTI chairman.

The report also pointed to misinformation from a fake social media account purportedly belonging to Imran Khan’s son, Suleman Isa Khan, which was used to incite party supporters.

In addition, the watchdog highlighted false reports about the transfer of Imran Khan to Adiala Jail, and claims about 600 soldiers resigning from Army academies. Fabricated stories about gunfire aimed at Asad Qaiser and Mehmood Khan Achakzai were also flagged.

The report further noted the negative impact of misleading statements made by former deputy speaker Qasim Suri regarding Imran Khan's health. A press conference by DPO Attock Dr Ghiyas Gul, in which an old image from PTI protests was shown, was also cited as another example of false information.

One of the most widely circulated false stories was the death of a PTI worker who allegedly fell from a container during the protests. The report stressed that these reports were later proven to be false, despite gaining global attention. "Not only did the fake news cause significant problems for security agencies, but it also severely affected PTI leadership," it stated.

The Fake News Watchdog concluded by stressing that the victims of this misinformation campaign included the government, security institutions, and political parties as it called for urgent measures to combat the spread of fake news in Pakistan.

Fake news watchdog slams misinformation during PTI protests, calls for urgent action | The Express Tribune

Watchdog exposes spread of fake news during PTI protests, debunking several widely circulated false stories.

tribune.com.pk

 

[Kianig89]

So what's been whispered in power corridors is that Est is seriously irked with PTI never ending protests call, now a setup for national govt is being considered should IK agrees.

BTW PTI has formed a dialogue committee after signals from 47 govt.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s internal rifts were exposed at Adiala Jail, as party leaders bickered over the Islamabad protest and Imran Khan's jail conditions

PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, sister Aleema Khan and party leaders Faisal Chaudhry, Barrister Gohar Khan, and Mashal Yousafzai were all present when an argument erupted over the aftermath of the November 24 protest, Express News reported.

Bushra Bibi voiced her frustration over Punjab’s lackluster response to the protest, claiming that the region had not shown enough support to the party during its November protest in Islamabad.

In contrast, Barrister Gohar Khan defended Punjab’s efforts, pointing to the harsh crackdown and the arrest of 5,000 party members, which he argued severely hampered PTI’s operations in the province.

The exchange took a turn when Aleema Khan confronted Faisal Chaudhry, questioning why PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, wasn’t being provided newspapers and other basic jail facilities.

Chaudhry defended the party's efforts but turned the blame back on senior officials, questioning why they weren’t taking more responsibility by attending court hearings themselves.

The tension deepened when Aleema Khan raised concerns over the Islamabad High Court’s monitoring commission.

Faisal Chaudhry clarified that the commission was court-mandated and out of their control. However, Mashal Yousafzai accused Chaudhry of undermining the commission’s work, leading to a sharp exchange of words.

Barrister Gohar Khan, attempting to quell the disagreement, advised the group to leave certain decisions to party leadership, suggesting that widespread public commentary on protests and internal matters only bred confusion.

Amidst the bickering, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan expressed grave concerns over what he said was the rise of "fascism" in Punjab, claming that it had instilled fear among the public.

He referenced the D-Chowk protest, where 200 PTI members have reportedly gone missing.

Source: The Express Tribune

 

[FearlessRoar]

PTI’s Gohar raises issue of alleged protesters’ deaths in NA, demands answers from govt
The PTI on Wednesday reiterated its demand for a probe into the alleged deaths of its supporters during its Islamabad protest last month, as MNA Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called on the government to have the “courage to give answers”.

Gohar’s remarks come a day after National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub called for a judicial probe into the matter, accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of issuing an “order to kill” and alleging that security personnel employed lethal weapons provided by Nato for counterterrorism operations.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had taken the floor to respond to the opposition leader’s speech and refuted all accusations of the opposition, criticising it for using the “provincial card” to build up its false narrative.

The PTI has officially claimed the death of 12 of its supporters during the November 26 protest — when a government crackdown forced the party’s top leadership to retreat — with Gohar “distancing” the party from the “exaggerated” toll of casualties being bandied about on social media.

Speaking on the NA floor today, Gohar said he would confine his speech to the “massacre that took place in Islamabad”.

“Even if bullets have been fired, there should at least be the courage to give answers, show remorse, apologise, investigate, and compensate the people,” the PTI chairman demanded.

“People remember the echo of a bullet for generations; they do not forget.”

While the NA session proceeded without any major disruptions or ruckus, the PTI chairman warned the government of more protests by his party if the demand for a probe was not fulfilled.

“If shots were fired, then responsibility must be assigned. We also demand that justice must be served and want to get it through this House. Do not force us to take to the streets again,” Gohar said.

He asserted that the protesters that had gathered in Islamabad were peaceful, and neither carried any weapons nor used “guerilla force”. “They were Pakistani civilians. They did not have any training.”

Gohar claimed that there was “no progress made” when he asked PPP MNA Khursheed Shah, the head of a special parliamentary committee formed in September, to convene a meeting of the body.

He lamented that Sunni Ittehad Council MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza, a PTI ally, was the head of the NA’s Standing Committee on Human Rights but its meeting “could not take place” despite him calling for it.

The PTI leader asserted: “I consider today is also a day of mourning for this House as 12 people were martyred on its doorsteps.”

Addressing PML-N’s Asif, Gohar said: “We want to take advantage of your experience Khawaja sahib. You have been in this parliament more than my age, is it becoming of you as a leader to say no bullets were fired?

“This is not the time for revenge but you could have called for a case to be filled, for investigation and brought the record up. These are your citizens and our citizens. We say it is our government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but all the people there are not just PTI’s. People from all ethnicities, all religions, and all political parties live there […] but we did not shoot at anyone.”

Highlighting that protesting was a fundamental right, the lawmaker said: “The beauty of democracy is that we can protest in this Assembly, at public servant offices and the public protests on the streets.”

Gohar said that despite the government terming the PTI as miscreants, the party did not return the label or call the ruling coalition party PML-N “murderer league”.

He recalled the riots in Bangladesh earlier this year, where countrywide protests led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina: “Look at what happened to Hasina Wajid who used to call peaceful students miscreants.

“It is PTI’s history that despite all the tyranny it has faced — our people were killed and injured — we did not leave the relationship of respectability.”

The PTI leader also mentioned various incidents around the world where protesters stormed the parliament buildings — in India and Brazil last year; in Sri Lanka in 2022; the 2021 US Capitol Hill incident; in Canada; and last week in South Korea — asking rhetorically: “Did anyone fire a bullet [at protesters] there?”

Echoing yesterday’s attitude, the opposition PTI took a surprisingly subdued tone by opting to participate in the proceedings rather than disrupting it, marking a departure from its past behaviour, when even on minor issues its members had sparked loud protests and disruptions.

Earlier yesterday, the PTI, in a statement issued after a parliamentary party meeting, had announced that its members would lodge a strong protest in the NA over the alleged use of brutal force against the party by the government.

As it was the first sitting after the Nov 26 episode — when PTI workers led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former first lady Bushra Bibi had to retreat from Islamabad’s Blue Area due to a crackdown — everyone in the Parliament House galleries was expecting to see noisy proceedings.

However, they were surprised to see the opposition members silently listening to the firebrand defence minister, who also made some personal attacks on the opposition leader.

Taking the floor as the first speaker, Ayub had demanded that an “impartial judicial commission” be constituted to ascertain “who fired the bullets and who gave the order to the security forces to open fire on peaceful and unarmed protesters”.

He claimed that 12 PTI supporters were killed, whereas more than 200 were still missing and could be placed in the category of “presumed dead”.

PTI’s Gohar raises issue of alleged protesters’ deaths in NA, demands answers from govt

Says there should "at least be the courage to give answers, show remorse, investigate"; law minister welcomes opposition using parliamentary forum.

www.dawn.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

32 suspects discharged from D-Chowk protest case

The court’s decision came after the police failed to provide sufficient evidence against the suspects, who were arrested on November 25, according to the investigators. The police presented 32 suspects of violent incidents in Islamabad during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest before ATC Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain.

The capital police requested a 30-day physical remand for the suspects, but the court rejected the plea.

The suspects’ lawyer, Anser Kiani, told the court that the accused are innocent labourers who were picked up from their homes and thrown into jail ‘just to meet the count’. He argued that the police had failed to conduct identification parade, and now seeking 30-day physical remand.

In a stern warning, the ATC Judge remarked that if the police rearrest the suspects, they will be handcuffed.

A number of PTI leaders and workers were arrested following D-Chowk protest in November.

Prominent figures facing arrest warrants include PTI founder’s wife Bushra Bibi, Barrister Gohar, Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, and Aamir Mughal. Other PTI leaders such as Omar Ayub, Khalid Khurshid, Faisal Javed, and Sher Afzal Marwat are also among those named.

Additionally, a court had also issued warrants for sitting MNA Abdul Latif, former provincial minister Riaz Khan, and other notable figures, including Ali Zaman, Pir Masoor, Khaliqur Rehman, Sohail Afridi, and Shahram Khan Tarakai.

32 suspects discharged from D-Chowk protest case

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has discharged 32 suspects who were arrested in connection with the recent violent protests at the

arynews.tv

 

[BouncerGuy]

Plea against ‘killings’ during PTI protest to be heard on 23rd

A court will hear on Dec 23 a petition about the alleged killings, injuries, and disappearances of PTI workers during the party’s protest in the federal capital last month.

District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Azam Khan has scheduled the hearing to address the petition filed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

His legal move aside, the PTI chairman while speaking to reporters outside the court said he was “in favour of comprehensive, unconditional negotiations at every stage”.

His petition accuses Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, senior police officials and some unidentified individuals of being involved in the killing and disappearances of PTI workers.

According to the petition, 12 PTI workers were killed and 38 others injured due to gunfire. As many as 139 individuals have been reported missing.

These allegations have raised serious concerns regarding the authorities’ handling of the protest, the petition added.

The petitioner’s legal team appeared before the court during the initial hearing on Saturday.

Judge Khan directed Barrister Gohar to be present at the next hearing to provide further clarification.

The court will hear preliminary arguments on the next date.

Call for talks

Talking to journalists outside the court, Barrister Gohar urged the need for continuing to pursue “comprehensive, unconditional” negotiations between the PTI and the federal government amid hesitation in the party, Dawn.com reported.

PTI leaders had recently agreed to negotiate with the federal government if the offer was ‘serious’, but party founder Imran Khan had criticised the leadership on Thursday for acting as if ‘all is well’ and reiterated his call for civil disobedience if the government continued to ignore his demands.

Barrister Gohar said: “It is essential for democracy to find political solutions to political issues. We will proceed in accordance with the law.”

When asked if the party’s demands were conditions for negotiations, he clarified: “We have not given any conditions, these are our demands. We will negotiate on these demands.”

“We did have contact with the government, but we were disconnected at a critical stage,” the chairman said in response to a question about prior attempts at talks.

“We are hopeful we will re-establish contact and improve the situation […] When there are negotiations, all issues will be resolved,” he said. “Enough is enough. Let us put a stop to everything and move towards improvement.”

ATC grants bail

Separately, Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Abual Hasanat Mohammad Zulqarnain granted bail to eight teenagers arrested for their alleged involvement in the PTI’s protest.

During the hearing on Saturday, the court released them and instructed their guardians to complete legal formalities.

The court also ordered the release of 38 individuals arrested in connection with the protest and sent 56 others on judicial remand.

The court expressed frustration over the police’s handling of these cases, particularly the delay in conducting identity parades and presenting the accused in court.

The police presented 32 suspects from Jhelum jail in court during late hours and requested their 30-day physical remand.

The prosecution claimed the suspects were arrested on Nov 25, but had not undergone identity parades due to time constraints.

The defence lawyer countered that the arrests were arbitrary, accusing the police of arresting workers from their homes to inflate the count of suspects held during the protest.

Judge Zulqarnain expressed displeasure over the late-night proceedings, stating that improper police procedures would not be tolerated.

After hearing the arguments, the court discharged all 32 suspects and warned the police against arresting them again without valid cause.

“If the police re-arrest them without justification, I will make the officers answerable in court,” the judge warned.

Separately, 56 individuals whose identity parades had been completed were presented in the court.

Of them, 20 were booked by the Tarnol police station, 18 by the Bani Gala police station, 10 by the Sector I-9 police station and eight by the Shehzad Town police station.

The police’s request for a 20-day physical remand was opposed by defence lawyers, who argued that these suspects were also picked up from their homes before the protests and no incriminating evidence had been recovered from them.

Rejecting the police’s request, the court ordered the suspects to be sent to jail on judicial remand. In a separate incident, six other activists — Babar Ali, Mohammad Mujahid, Shahid, Zeb, Ramzan and Mubashir — were presented in the court.

Judge Zulqarnain ordered their handcuffs to be removed and discharged them from the case, directing the police not to obstruct their paths or attempt re-arrest.

The minors belonged to Rawalpindi, Afghanistan, Bajaur, Mardan and Kahuta. Their arrests during the protest sparked concerns about the treatment of minors in politically motivated cases.

DAWN NEWS

 

[adzzy786]

Read the news .

Exactly. I rest my case

 

[BouncerGuy]

PTI leadership booked in murder case of Rangers official

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)‘s leadership, including Imran Khan, his spouse and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, were booked on a murder charge after an official of Rangers succumbed to his injury sustained during last month’s violent protest staged by the party.

A police officer told Dawn that the martyred official was identified as Lance Naik Mohammad Tanveer, a native of Narowal. He had suffered a firearm injury on the back of his head during the PTI’s protest on Nov 26 while performing duty at Chungi No 26.

Shortly after sustaining the firearm injury, he fell unconscious and was shifted to CMH, where he remained in coma and died on Thursday.

After getting information about his death, Tarnol police reached the CMH and brought the body of the martyred official to Pims. The autopsy on the body was conducted and the report was awaited.

Another officer said the police collected a number of bullet shells and cartridges from Chungi No 26 after the violent protest. The shells were from different kinds of weapons, including SMGs, 30-bore pistols and 12-bore guns. They were sent to the laboratory for forensic examination, he added.

After the death of the official, a murder charge was added to the case already registered at the Tarnol police station.

According to the FIR, contingents of police and Rangers personnel were deployed at Chungi No 26 in connection with PTI’s protest.

At around 9:15pm, about 10,000 to 12,000 people, led by the party’s leaders, including Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, MNA Abdul Latif, former MPA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Riaz Khan, Amir Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, MPA Fatehul Mulk, Senator Faisal Javaid, MPA Pir Mosawer, Asad Qaiser, Omer Ayub, Khurram Sherzaman, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shibli Faraz, Arif Alvi, former CM Gilgit-Baltistan Khalid Khurshid, Zartaj Gul, MNA Omair Niazi and Adil Haleem Shaikh armed with batons, firearms, stones, slingshots, iron rods, teargas and 12-bore guns reached there on vehicles and motorcycles.

Their objective was to spread fear and terror among the public, undermine the government system and pursue their agenda and objectives by creating unrest and chaos in the country.

The FIR added that the protesters used intimidating force and terrorist tactics, blocking Srinagar Highway and the main G.T. Road, and chanted slogans of intense hatred against the government and institutions.

The participants of the protest were provoked by Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur and other leaders with intentions to spread fear and terror among the rival political parties to achieve their political objectives.

“During the course of court proceedings, Bushra Bibi and Ali Amin Gandapur, who had been allowed to see Mr Imran Khan under court permission, hatched a conspiracy under the directions of Imran Khan with criminal intent to provoke party workers through video messages.”

As a result, the PTI protesters, led by the leadership, and on the behest of Zulfi Bukhari, Murad Saeed, Rauf Hassan, Salman Akram Raja, Hammad Azhar, Shaikh Waqas Akram, Shahryar Afridi, attacked police and Rangers and resorted to straight firing and teargas shelling. As a result of firing, ASI Nazir Ahmed, Head Constable Maqsoor Ahmed, Constables Ahsan Farooq, Nadeemullah, Faisal, Zahid, Ahsan, Sajjad and some personnel of Rangers were severely injured.

During the clashes, the protesters also snatched cash, mobile phones, anti-riot gears from the police personnel and a 30-bore pistol, mobile phones, cash, 200 rubber bullets and a teargas gun from Rangers. They also damaged vehicles and buildings and set a prison van of Punjab police on fire.

During this time, Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur and other leaders announced to kill the police officials if they tried to stop them from moving to D-Chowk. They vowed to get Imran Khan released from jail and topple the government at all costs. After this announcement, the PTI protesters attacked the police, using teargas shells and firing from SMGs and other weapons. As a result, the enraged crowd moved forward to reach D-Chowk.

Earlier, a murder case along with other charges was also registered against the PTI chairman and other leaders at the Ramna police station over the killing of three officials of Rangers at Srinagar Highway.

DAWN NEWS

 

[BouncerGuy]

Islamabad court approves bail for 153 PTI workers involved in D-Chowk protest

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday approved the bail of 153 PTI workers who were arrested on November 26 when law enforcement agencies carried out a crackdown on protesters at Islamabad’s D-Chowk.

On Nov 13, Imran issued a “final call” for nationwide protests on Nov 24, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment which he said had strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.

In the wake of the protest, human rights organisation Amnesty International demanded a transparent investigation of the state’s “deadly crackdown” to disperse PTI supporters from D-Chowk.

Numerous PTI workers were arrested in the ensuing crackdown while multiple cases were filed against the party leadership and supporters. According to the federal capital’s police chief, more than 1,400 suspects had been arrested by the Islamabad and Rawalpindi police.

On January 3, an Islamabad ATC granted post-arrest bail to 250 PTI arrested on Nov 26, while on January 6, as many as 192 PTI workers, who were detained in Jhelum district jail, were released after their bail petitions were accepted by an ATC in Islamabad.

During today’s hearing, which was taken up by ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain, the petitions of 177 PTI workers were heard.

Subsequently, bail was granted to 153 PTI workers, while the court rejected the bail pleas of 24 workers. Four lawyers presented arguments on behalf of the PTI workers, namely Sardar Masroof Khan, Mirza Aslam Baig, Fataullah Burki, and Murtaza Turi.

Of the 48 workers whose cases were registered at the Karachi Company Police Station, bail was granted to 43 workers while the cases of five were dismissed.

The cases of seven workers were registered at the Tarnol Police Station, of which two were granted bail, while the cases of five were rejected.

Ten cases were registered at the I-9 Police Station, of which nine workers were granted bail and the case of one was rejected.

At the Kohsar Police Station, case no 1033 was registered, and 28 of the arrested were granted bail while the applications of five were rejected.

Of the eight cases registered at the Ramna Police Station, three workers were granted bail while the applications of five were rejected.

All 25 workers whose cases were registered at the Secretariat Police Station were granted bail.

Of the 45 cases registered at the Margalla Police Station, 42 workers were granted bail while the applications of three were rejected.

The bail of one worker registered at the Kohsar Police Station under Case 1032, was accepted.

The court granted bail to all workers against Rs5,000 bonds.

DAWN NEWS

 

[FearlessRoar]

Interior minister asks PTI to review February 8 call or face music​

Federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi asked the main opposition party Pakitan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to review its February 8 protest call or face the music.

Speaking to the media at the inauguration of a passport office within a Nadra centre in Lahore, Naqvi dismissed speculation about any communication from the US regarding PTI. “No call has been received from the US yet. If one comes, we’ll see,” he remarked.

When asked if PTI’s founder was expecting such a call, Naqvi chose not to respond.

On his recent visit to the US, Naqvi highlighted strong bilateral ties, noting productive meetings with several senators and congressmen. He termed the trip successful, with outcomes expected soon.

Expressing concern over illegal immigration, Naqvi criticised the misuse of visas for dangerous sea routes to Europe, stating it damages Pakistan’s reputation. “Those facilitating such practices are responsible,” he added.

Regarding administrative reforms, Naqvi praised the efficiency of Lahore’s Shimla Pahari Nadra office, expressing hope to replicate its model nationwide. He emphasised efforts to streamline Nadra centres and enhance collaboration with passport offices to improve public services.

Commenting on the proposed establishment of a Passport Authority, Naqvi said it’s key to ensuring timely passport delivery.

Addressing concerns about harassment by customs and FIA officials, Naqvi announced imminent reforms within the FIA and a crackdown on human smuggling networks.

Acknowledging the struggles of legal travelers, he assured that the government aims to ease their journey. Highlighting illegal migration trends from Gujrat and Faisalabad divisions, he reaffirmed the government’s resolve to act against those tarnishing Pakistan’s image abroad.

While he admitted that completely eradicating human smuggling networks is challenging, Naqvi stressed that a robust crackdown strategy has been completed.

Interior minister asks PTI to review February 8 call or face music

Conflict in Pakistani politics still persists

dunyanews.tv

 

[Devadwal]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885694480843509932

@The Bald Eagle @BouncerGuy @FearlessRoar

This protest can disturb the champion trophy preparation. During this protest NZ and South Africa team will be in Pakistan .

while political protest is a right but it's not appropriate in the current situation.

 

[BouncerGuy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885694480843509932

@The Bald Eagle @BouncerGuy @FearlessRoar

This protest can disturb the champion trophy preparation. During this protest NZ and South Africa team will be in Pakistan .

while political protest is a right but it's not appropriate in the current situation.

Yep. these protests should not be anywhere near the stadium... Should be different city at least

 

[boomboomcheema]

As expected PTI most likely looking to disturb the smooth hosting of the CT Trophy in Pakistan which could even jeopardise the security arrangements of foreign players. All the protests should be called off till the CT has been completed..

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan interior minister urges Imran Khan’s party to avoid Feb. 8 countrywide protests

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi this week urged former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to avoid protesting on Feb. 8, the same day a tri-nation series involving international cricket teams from South Africa and New Zealand is to kick off in the eastern city of Lahore.

Khan’s party has called on thousands of his supporters to mark the one-year anniversary of Pakistan’s controversial Feb. 8, 2024 general election as a “Black Day.” The former prime minister has urged people from all walks of life to hold protests in their respective cities against alleged rigging on Feb. 8.

Last year’s polls were marred by a countrywide shutdown of cellphone networks and delayed results, leading to widespread allegations of election manipulation by the PTI and other opposition parties. The caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) denied the allegations. The US House of Representatives, as well as European countries, have called on Islamabad to open a probe into the allegations — a move that Pakistan has thus far rejected.

Pakistan is set to host New Zealand and South Africa for a tri-nation cricket series starting Feb. 8-14 in Lahore and Karachi. The matches on Feb. 8 and 10 will be held in Lahore. Pakistan will then host the eight-nation Champions Trophy cricket tournament from Feb. 19-Mar. 9 in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi.

“Like before we will request them not to do this [Feb. 8 protest],” Naqvi told reporters at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday.

“I did this before too when they started giving dates for the Nov. 26 [protests]. If they don’t [call off the protest] then...,” Naqvi paused abruptly without finishing the sentence, hinting the government would take action.

The interior minister was referring to the party’s November protests last year in which thousands of Khan supporters arrived in the capital, threatening to demand his release from prison. The government says four troops were killed in clashes, a charge the PTI denies and says scores of its workers were also killed.

Khan’s ouster in a parliamentary no-trust vote in 2022 has plunged Pakistan into a political crisis, particularly since the PTI founder was jailed in August 2023 on corruption and other charges and remains behind bars.

Khan’s party and the government held talks last month to ease political tensions in the country. However, the PTI ended negotiations this month, saying the government had failed to honor its demands of establishing judicial commissions to probe the protests of May 9, 2023, and November 2024.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2588715/pakistan

 

[BouncerGuy]

LHC seeks reply from DC over PTI’s plea for Feb 8 gathering

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought a reply from the city’s deputy commissioner on a PTI plea seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-i-Pakistan on February 8.

The opposition PTI has decided to observe a “black day” on February 8 (Saturday) to protest against its “stolen mandate” in last year’s general elections, which were dominated by independent candidates that the party fielded.

Malik, the PTI’s newly appointed Punjab chief organiser, had submitted an application to Lahore DC Syed Musa Raza on January 29, seeking permission for the gathering. However, upon receiving no response, she then approached the LHC yesterday for the rally’s approval.

Presiding over the hearing today, Justice Farooq Haider directed DC Raza to appear in person on February 6 (Thursday) and submit a response on the petition filed by Malik, also a former PTI MNA.

The judge also sought responses from other respondents named in the plea — namely the Punjab government; the Lahore commissioner, DC and additional DC; and the state.

Speaking to the media in Lahore today, Malik said February 8 was “not the PTI’s day but Pakistan’s”.

Asserting that her party’s leaders and workers had been facing “oppression” for the past two years, Malik urged people to attend Saturday’s protest rally.

“No segment [of the society] was spared from dacoity on Feb 8, 2024,” she said, referring to the elections in which the PTI says its mandate was “stolen”.

Stressing that ex-premier Imran Khan and his wife were in jail, Malik said the PTI founders’ sisters were appearing before courts in various cases.

“Peaceful protest is our right,” the PTI leader said, asserting that the government “would not be able to stop” the protest on February 8.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Malik had said that in case of denial of permission for the Minar-i-Pakistan protest, the party would disclose its “plan B”.

The PTI has also announced a protest rally on February 8 in the Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power.

To mark the occasion, the party would distribute Rs50 million in development funds among the village councils, as well as Rs200,000 each to PTI workers convicted by military courts recently over the May 9, 2023 riots.

In her petition, Malik had also asked the court to direct the authorities to grant permission for the rally and restrain law enforcement agencies from harassing or abducting PTI workers.

She had termed it “strange” that whenever the PTI requested permission for a public gathering, security concerns were raised as a pretext to deny approval. The PTI leader also alleged that she was being harassed and threatened to withdraw the request.

The application detailed that the PTI leaders managing the power show would be Malik, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bachhar, MPA Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood, and Ali Ijaz Buttar.

DAWN NEWS