Outrage and Injustice: PTI Leaders Detained Amid ‘Black Day’ Protest Against Alleged Election Rigging in Pakistan

Several leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, faced arrests on February 8 during nationwide rallies marking ‘Black Day.’ This day of protest was held to denounce alleged election rigging in the previous year. PTI’s core demonstration was held in Swabi, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, while supporters were urged to mobilize across the country.

Originally, PTI planned a rally at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan, but authorities in Punjab denied permission, leading to the imposition of Section 144, a mandate banning public gatherings, by the Punjab government led by Maryam Nawaz. In response, police were heavily deployed to prevent PTI supporters from congregating, resulting in numerous arrests, including PTI’s vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter, Mehr Bano Qureshi, during a protest in Multan.

Further controversy arose as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly violated Section 144 by hosting a rally in Lahore celebrating a year of governance, with police providing security rather than enforcement of the ban. The PTI accused the military and the current government of election manipulation, calling the results a violation of constitutional rights and demanding accountability.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated that ‘Black Day’ commemorates the alleged theft of the people’s mandate, vowing annual observance and urging protests in every city. He criticized the government’s reluctance to form a judicial commission on past incidents, including those on November 26 and May 9, 2023.

In Muzaffarabad, attempts to protest led to further arrests, with PTI leader Khawaja Farooq briefly escaping detention. An official confirmed his subsequent apprehension alongside 16 others. Separately, Balochistan also enforced Section 144 for a 15-day span amid these tensions.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/international/story/pakistans-pti-leaders-arrested-as-party-marks-black-day-over-alleged-election-rigging-1168217-2025-02-09?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-02-09 10:01:00