Barrister Gohar Ali Khan says PTI will hold countrywide rallies on August 5, marking two years since the arrest of party founder Imran Khan.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to hold nationwide rallies on August 5, with party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan saying the demonstrations will mark the second anniversary of the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group, Barrister Gohar said the meeting had initially been convened to discuss a single agenda, but participants also reviewed the country’s overall political situation.
“Our meeting had one agenda, but the entire national situation came under discussion,” he told reporters.
Barrister Gohar said the PTI parliamentary party unanimously decided to organize rallies across Pakistan on August 5, the day Imran Khan was arrested in 2023 after being sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case involving the sale of state gifts.
The PTI chief said the parliamentary party strongly condemned the continued imprisonment of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, maintaining that both were being held unjustly.
“Every PTI member of the assembly believes the founder’s imprisonment is unjust,” Barrister Gohar said, adding that the party had sought legal relief through the courts but decisions on several appeals were still pending.
He also announced that PTI’s political committee, together with the opposition alliance, would soon unveil its future political strategy and provide further details regarding the upcoming protest campaign.
According to Barrister Gohar, the August 5 demonstrations will differ from previous protests, although he did not elaborate on the nature of the planned rallies.
Imran Khan has remained in custody since August 2023 following convictions that he and his party describe as politically motivated. Since his removal from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022, the former prime minister has faced numerous legal cases, including allegations of corruption, terrorism, and misuse of authority.
While some convictions have been suspended or overturned by higher courts, several appeals and legal proceedings remain pending. Khan has consistently denied all allegations against him.
The announcement follows recent remarks by Aleema Khan, the PTI founder’s sister, who urged party workers to intensify efforts for her brother’s release.
Addressing PTI supporters in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on July 12, Aleema Khan said the time had come for the party to seek justice and accountability, calling on workers to remain united ahead of the planned nationwide demonstrations.
The August 5 rallies are expected to become a major political event, with PTI aiming to mobilize supporters across the country while pressing for the release of its jailed founder and highlighting what it describes as ongoing legal and political challenges facing the party.
