Imran Khan's party claims that shots were fired at its rally and condemns “martial law”

Islamabad [Pakistan]September 8 (ANI): The Pakistan Movement for Justice (PTI) has alleged that police fired at its members during the rally in Islamabad on Sunday demanding the release of party founder and jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The party condemned the “heavy shelling” of peaceful protesters in its social media post, calling it an “undeclared state of war”. “Scenes Pakistanis have become accustomed to in this undeclared state of war. Heavy shelling of peaceful Pakistanis gathered in large numbers for Imran KhanPTI's rally in Islamabad by Islamabad Police. Once again shameful, despicable, desperate and cowardly behaviour by the illegitimate authoritarian regime. These shameful, unlawful acts only strengthen the resolve of the people to fight for their 'Haqeeqi Azadi'!” the PTI said in a post on X.

PTI further said the police officers should be “ashamed” and added that people had sent a “big message” today.

“These police officers should be ashamed of attacking one of the most peaceful crowds ever. IG Islamabad and the entire government should stop playing with people's lives. This is most disgusting and shameful, people have sent an important message today!” a subsequent post continued.

Dawn reported that the PTI had inaugurated the rally on Sunday on the outskirts of Islamabad after being denied permission several times in the past.

Workers from across the province gathered at the venue to organize the event, the party said on its Platform X.

At the beginning of the rally, party leader Hammad Azhar addressed the crowd and explained that the supporters had gathered today to establish the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution in the country.

He added that no obstacle would stop them from doing so today.

“We will, God willing, secure the release of Imran Khan,” he said.

The rally, originally planned for July and later August, was postponed twice after authorities revoked permission, citing security risks and fears of unrest.

The party is holding the rally to gain support for the release of Imran Khan, who has been in prison since last August.

Khan was supposed to be released from jail after a district and sessions court allowed appeals against his conviction in the Iddat case, but the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested him soon after in a fresh Toshakhana case, Dawn reported.

His sentences in the two previous Toshakhana cases have already been suspended, and he was also acquitted in the cipher case by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The PTI has been trying for months to authorize a public gathering in the capital, but has not received permission from the government.

The party approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in March for permission after receiving no response from the district administration.

In July, the PTI announced a protest rally, but it was postponed as the district administration barred the party from holding the protest rally. The rally was postponed to August 22, but the district administration cancelled the NOC at the last minute and fixed the new date of September 8.

As the party completed its preparations for the rally today, the capital's police closed almost all entrances to the city, citing intelligence reports that there was a “medium-level” terrorist threat in light of the political gathering, Dawn reported.

Senior PTI politician and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser condemned the placement of containers and police cordons, terming them as measures of a “fascist government… creating a hostile environment.” “It is unfortunate that this fascist government with a stolen mandate is creating such a hostile environment,” Qaiser said in a video message uploaded by the PTI on X. “They approved the NOC (Non-Objection Certificate) and the court allowed the rally, but Rawalpindi was sealed.” The party's Punjab spokesperson Shaukat Basra said in a post on X that the Punjab police leadership had given “unconstitutional” orders (to stop workers) to its units across the province. (ANI)