LAHORE – Authorities in the provincial capital blocked roads and detained supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a bid to derail the much-touted power show called by ousted premier Imran Khan.
Law enforcers continued raiding houses of PTI leaders and workers ahead of Saturday’s power show as the defiant leader Imran Khan called on his supporters to attend the power show after Taraweeh prayers.
Khan, who is battling one of the worst political crises, reiterated to advance his vision of Haqeeqi Azadi and how to pull Pakistan out of the mess. Lamenting the obstacles to prevent the supporters from attending today’s gathering, PTI chief said it is a fundamental right of Pakistani to attend the rally.
As Khan widened the call to attend the much-hyped rally, the provincial capital has been clamped at major points, especially entrance and exit routes and adjourning areas of Iqbal Park.
Roads leading to Minar-e-Pakistan from Ravi Bridge and Railway Station are closed as government-mounted containers at the Shah Alam Market and other roads to disrupt PTI workers.
I call upon International community and specially Islamic Countries to condemn abductions and killings of pol workers in the holy month of Ramadan by this Fascist regime the Punjab CM and members of cabinet should be declared persona non grata for their fascists tactics. https://t.co/ImSxocoj77
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 25, 2023
Amid the crackdown, scores of PTI workers have been arrested across different regions in Punjab. The residence of former Usman Dar, a close aide of Imran Khan, was raided in Sialkot but he dodged police action.
Several other activists of the former ruling party including Chaudhry Ilyas, Mian Irfan, Sajid Butt, Ghulam Haider, and others were detained.
