LAHORE: On Saturday, workers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) bravely confronted the Punjab government’s security measures, enduring heavy tear gas and baton charges to assemble at Minar-i-Pakistan in a demonstration of strength.
The protesters, responding to a call from party founder Imran Khan, gathered to celebrate his birthday and pass the “Haqeeqi Azadi” (Real Freedom) resolution at the historic site where the Pakistan Resolution was adopted in 1940.
Despite the enforcement of Section 144 in Lahore and four other cities, which prohibits all political gatherings, a large number of PTI supporters turned out. The government had deployed Rangers in Lahore, establishing roadblocks with containers and placing police and paramilitary forces on high alert.
Acting on the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Cabinet on Law and Order, the Punjab government had also requested army troops for maintaining order. However, a spokesperson from the Home Department clarified that these troops were primarily for the security of heads of state attending the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. “Army troops will be deployed as needed in Rawalpindi and Attock,” the spokesperson stated.
Hammad Azhar mentioned that the party’s second-tier leadership would take charge if necessary.
In response to the extensive security measures, PTI leadership had hinted at a surprise. Throughout Lahore and neighboring districts, PTI workers waited until evening before launching a coordinated march toward Minar-i-Pakistan.
As they proceeded through the city, they encountered intense tear gas and baton charges from police, with some protesters retaliating. Nonetheless, the demonstrators continued to chant slogans like “Le ke rahein gay Azadi” (We will take freedom), “Imran teray jaanisar, beshumaar” (Imran, your devotees are countless), and “Imran Khan Zindabad” (Long live Imran Khan).
PTI’s Lahore General Secretary Awais Younas, one of the organizers, asserted, “Your tear gas will run out, but our passion to reach Minar-i-Pakistan will not diminish.” He was later arrested by police.
Several PTI leaders, including Lahore MPA Ahmer Rasheed Bhatti, ticket-holders Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar and Malik Nadeem Bara, were detained at the protest site. The Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, was also arrested, and his whereabouts remained unknown until late at night.
Many party workers, affected by tear gas, were seen rinsing their eyes with water as they reached the Minar-i-Pakistan ground. The widespread use of tear gas also affected local residents, with women and children in nearby homes suffering from its impact as police continued to fire into densely populated areas.
Earlier in the day, PTI lawyers and workers made brief appearances at GPO Chowk and outside Aiwan-i-Adal before being rounded up by police. However, as evening fell, people emerged from various areas in large numbers, defying restrictions, removing barricades, and marching toward the protest venue. By 10 PM, PTI workers and supporters continued to gather at Minar-i-Pakistan.
Khan had issued a “Do or Die” order, instructing PTI supporters unable to reach Lahore to stage protests in their own cities. Late into the night, caravans of PTI workers from surrounding cities also arrived at the Minar-i-Pakistan ground.
PTI Punjab’s Acting President Hammad Azhar later announced that the party’s political committee had resolved to continue the protests. “In the event of further arrests, the second-tier leadership will take charge,” he stated.
Meanwhile, party leader Salman Akram Raja tweeted that PTI had decided to persist with protests against proposed constitutional amendments. “This protest will spread across Pakistan, and every citizen will become a part of it,” he added.
