Despite a ban on public gatherings, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organised nationwide protest demonstrations, demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan, who has been in prison for two years.
Party sources confirmed that the PTI plans to have all Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and senators gather outside Adiala Jail, led by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan.
The protests, organised under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and supervised by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, are set to be peaceful, according to PTI leader Asad Qaiser. He emphasised that there is no intention of confrontation and reiterated that Imran Khan’s release could happen quickly without any deals.
Provincial Assembly members will protest in their respective constituencies, while PTI leaders from Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Punjab have coordinated with the central leadership. All ticket holders are on alert.
بے جرم و بے گناہ قوم کے لیڈر کی ناحق قید کے دو سال۔۔۔ #خان_کی_کال_مزاحمت_کی_یلغار pic.twitter.com/JlrT91EP3n
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2025Amid concerns of possible arrest, Salman Akram Raja had submitted a petition to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking information about any cases against him filed by the police or the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The petition lists the interior secretary, Islamabad police, FIA, and others as respondents. Raja completed his biometric verification prior to filing the petition.
لاہور میں یہ قافلہ اپنی منزل کی جانب رواں دواں !
pic.twitter.com/pavruiO3lu
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2025Security around Adiala Jail has been ramped up, with checkpoints on all leading roads from Dahgal Checkpost to Gate No. 5. The buildup followed a request from Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, highlighting the facility’s high-sensitivity status housing political and terrorist prisoners. Section 144 has been enforced, prohibiting illegal gatherings.
اوکاڑہ: مہر عبدالستار کی قیادت میں اوکاڑہ کی عوام کی بڑی تعداد میں موٹر سائیکل ریلی میں شرکت،
مطالبہ صرف ایک ،
"رہا کرو خان ہمارا"۔ #پرامن_ملک_گیر_تحریک #پانچ_اگست_فیصلہ_کن pic.twitter.com/TcZgtjyLez
— PTI Punjab (@PTIPunjabPK) August 5, 2025The Federal Capital Administration imposed Section 144, banning protests in Islamabad. Rawalpindi DC Hasan Waqar Cheema enforced Section 144 district-wide from August 5 to 10, citing intelligence on threats to public safety. It prohibits gatherings of five or more, weapons, hate speech, pillion riding, and loudspeakers. Permission for a protest at F-9 Park was denied.
ممبر پنجاب اسمبلی وقاص محمود مان سینئر نائب صدر کسان ونگ پنجاب۔ کی قیادت میں سینکڑوں کسانوں نے پرامن احتجاج ریکارڈ کروایا۔
PP_142 شیخوپورہ pic.twitter.com/Fi0QQSotbO
— PTI Kissan Wing Official (@PtiKissan_wing) August 5, 2025A crackdown has begun, with Lahore police detaining over 300 PTI workers through raids, including 20 in Jarranwala. PTI Lahore condemned the Punjab government as “fascist” but vowed peaceful protests. In KP, PTI announced “Youm-e-Siyah” on August 5, with CM Ali Amin Gandapur leading what he claims will be Pakistan’s largest rally in Peshawar, culminating at Bala Hissar Fort. Caravans from Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera will converge at Swabi Interchange.
ساڑھے 3 سال بعد بھی تحریک انصاف کو "ختم شد" کرنے کے لیے ریاستی دہشتگردی کرنی پڑ رہی ہے تو بہتر ہے اڈیالہ کے قیدی سے معافی مانگ کر صلح کر لی جائے pic.twitter.com/6m7IK4uYdz
— Umer Inam (@UmerInamPk) August 5, 2025If the protests fail to gain momentum, PTI is considering extending the movement to August 14 or shifting to constituency-level rallies. A senior PTI leader admitted coordination challenges due to denied meetings with Imran Khan and restrictions like Section 144 and the Punjab crackdowns. Anonymously, the leader hinted at potential surprises, though details remain undisclosed amid unfavourable conditions.
