Pakistan: PTI Launches Hunger Strike Demanding Release Of Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a hunger strike outside the Parliament House in Islamabad on Tuesday, demanding the immediate release of party leader Imran Khan and other detained members, according to Pakistan-based Geo News.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the party chairman, stated that the strike would continue daily until 8pm to protest the “injustice” against PTI and its leaders, Geo News reported. This action followed the arrest of PTI’s Information Secretary, Raoof Hasan, and other party workers, and the sealing of the party’s central secretariat on Wednesday due to “lack of fire and life safety arrangements,” as reported by Geo News.

Hasan was detained for allegedly leading a digital media cell involved in anti-Indian propaganda. According to a notice obtained by Geo News, the administration cited deficiencies such as outdated fire extinguishers, lack of an emergency evacuation plan, absence of an independent power source for the emergency system, and substandard electrical wiring.

“[The] PTI founder and his wife have been imprisoned for no reason. This camp will continue till the release of the PTI founder,” Gohar Ali Khan said, expressing his frustration to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq over “illegal and unconstitutional actions.”

Former National Assembly speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser demanded the release of PTI founder, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other detainees, including Hasan and party workers. Qaiser also called for the resignation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, accusing it of “bad governance and mismanaging the economy” and blaming it for lawlessness and rising inflation.

PTI’s Secretary-General Omar Ayub Khan demanded that the “Form 47” government, referencing alleged manipulation in the February 8 elections, step down and announce fresh, free, and fair elections. Additionally, PTI leader Shibli Faraz announced a nationwide protest on July 26 as part of PTI’s ongoing struggle.