By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday accused the government of launching a crackdown against party supporters following protests held across the country a day earlier. The party also demanded the immediate release of workers allegedly detained during the demonstrations.
In a statement, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said party supporters came out in large numbers despite what he described as strict government restrictions and heavy police deployment. He alleged that authorities carried out late-night and early-morning raids and registered what he called “false cases” to stop protesters from participating in rallies.
The PTI leader claimed the demonstrations reflected public support for the party and showed that political pressure could not silence opposition voices. He strongly condemned the arrests made during the protests and called for the unconditional release of all detained workers.
Mr Akram also rejected the government’s portrayal of family meetings with former prime minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi as goodwill measures, arguing that access to family members was a constitutional right rather than a concession. He alleged that Imran Khan continued to face solitary confinement and inadequate medical care.
The PTI managed to stage rallies in most major cities across the country, although no major protest was reported in Karachi.
The PTI spokesperson also backed National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s warning of a possible boycott of the federal budget session if Imran Khan’s treatment and visitation rights were not restored.
Criticising the government’s economic policies, Mr Akram alleged that authorities collected over Rs4.3 trillion through fuel levies while offering little relief to the public. He said PTI would continue its political campaign until what he called the restoration of the “stolen mandate”, release of political prisoners, and proper medical treatment and family access for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
He also condemned the alleged mistreatment of activists associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla.
