The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party has resolved to organize nationwide rallies on August 5, as announced by party chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday. The decision was made during a meeting initially set with a single agenda, but which expanded to cover the broader national situation.
August 5 marks the anniversary of the arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2023 for selling state gifts. Barrister Gohar emphasized that the parliamentary party strongly condemns the ongoing detention of Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, describing the imprisonment as unjust. Despite legal efforts, the party’s appeals remain pending without any verdicts yet.
In a significant development, the PTI political committee and the opposition alliance plan to jointly announce their future strategy. Barrister Gohar noted that the upcoming protests will differ in nature from previous demonstrations, signaling a new phase in the party’s activism.
Since his removal from office in a no-confidence vote in 2022, Imran Khan has faced numerous legal challenges, including charges ranging from corruption to terrorism. While some convictions have been overturned or suspended, many appeals are still underway. Khan continues to deny all allegations, maintaining that the cases against him are politically motivated.
The announcement followed a call from Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who urged PTI workers to intensify their efforts for his release. Speaking to party members in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on July 12, she stressed the importance of unity and persistence in seeking justice and accountability. Aleema also encouraged party workers to pressure PTI lawmakers to actively participate in the nationwide anti-government movement rather than remain inactive.
Concerns about Khan’s health and prison conditions have been repeatedly raised by his family and the party. Last month, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a scheduled follow-up eye treatment, receiving his fifth intravitreal injection. The 74-year-old leader is being treated for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition caused by blockage of the main vein draining blood from the retina. This condition is often linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease, as detailed in a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Khan’s lawyer and the court’s amicus curiae, Salman Safdar.
