Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared a ‘Black Day’ today as the country marks the completion of one year until the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2025. In response, protests are taking place across the nation. Despite the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab, PTI workers organized demonstrations in various cities, while a large gathering was held in Swabi. According to the police, PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s nephew Mehra Bano Qureshi, former assembly member Zahid Bahar Hashmi, and Dilair Mahar were arrested for violating Section 144 in Multan. These three leaders were taken into custody from Pull Chatha and are currently under detention. Additionally, over 10 more PTI workers were arrested on charges of staging a rally.
In the capital of Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, PTI activists attempted to protest at Freedom Square, leading to the detention of several individuals. To evade arrest, the opposition leader in Azad Kashmir’s legislative assembly, Khawaja Farooq, successfully escaped police custody. Police attempted to place him in a worker’s car, but the driver managed to flee, rescuing him. Subsequently, the Assistant Commissioner of Muzaffarabad confirmed that the police have arrested opposition leader Khawaja Farooq and placed him under house arrest. During these protests, 16 other PTI workers were also detained. Against the backdrop of ongoing protests nationwide, PTI leaders are criticizing the government’s policies and taking a stand for their movement, while the government is implementing stringent measures to curb the protests.
