Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began mobilising from various parts of the country on Tuesday, responding to party co-founder and incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s protest call. The movement comes as PTI marks two years since the imprisonment of Imran.
More than six PTI members of Punjab assembly have been arrested in Lahore and another has been detained as the authorities continue their crackdown on the party’s leadership. The party has claimed the authorities have detained over 300 workers in Lahore and are conducting raids at the homes of party leaders.
Early mobilisations were reported in various regions, where PTI workers voiced demands for Imran’s immediate release.
In Lahore, a large crowd rallied under the leadership of PTI figure Shaukat Basra, marching through key city roads with party flags and chanting pro-Imran slogans.
شوکت بسرا کی قیادت میں لاہور میں بہت بڑی تعداد میں عوام سڑکوں پر نکل ائی ہے شاباش pic.twitter.com/Be9dMWLmCz
— چوہدری مدثر رضا مچھیانہ (@Muddasaroffical) August 5, 2025
In Okara, PTI leader Mehr Abdul Sattar led a motorcycle rally, where participants raised the slogan, “Release our Khan”. Convoys were seen moving towards a central point as part of the mobilisation effort.
اوکاڑہ: مہر عبدالستار کی قیادت میں اوکاڑہ کی عوام کی بڑی تعداد میں موٹر سائیکل ریلی میں شرکت،
مطالبہ صرف ایک ،
“رہا کرو خان ہمارا”۔ #پرامن_ملک_گیر_تحریک #پانچ_اگست_فیصلہ_کن pic.twitter.com/TcZgtjyLez
— PTI Punjab (@PTIPunjabPK) August 5, 2025
The PTI Insaf Youth Wing also launched its first convoy from District Mohmand, signalling growing grassroots momentum even before the formal call to protest was made public.
انصاف یوتھ ونگ کا پہلا قافلہ ضلع مہمند سے اپنی منزل کی طرف روانہ!
pic.twitter.com/j7TsWoaGL1
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2025
In Sheikhupura, a protest movement was initiated by Punjab Assembly MPA Waqas Mehmood Maan, who also serves as the Senior Vice President of the party’s Kisan Wing in Punjab. A significant number of farmers joined the protest, demanding the release of the incarcerated former prime minister.
بانی چیئرمین عمران خان کی ناحق قید کے دو سال مکمل ہونے کے خلاف پر امن تحریک کا آغاز
پی پی 142 شیخوپورہ
ممبرپنجاب اسمبلی وقاص محمودمان (سینئر نائب صدر کسان ونگ پنجاب) کی قیادت میں
کسان بھی نکل آئے#خان_کی_کال_مزاحمت_کی_یلغار #پانچ_اگست_فیصلہ_کن pic.twitter.com/PMYk76l84G
— PTI Punjab (@PTIPunjabPK) August 5, 2025
Meanwhile, the party’s Punjab wing claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that police had attacked the vehicle of former PTI member of National Assembly Aliya Hamza Malik and wounded her as she attempted to participate in the peaceful demonstration.
پولیس کے غنڈوں نے میری گاڑی پر حملہ کیا، مجھے زخمی کیا گیا۔
چیف آرگنائزر پنجاب عالیہ حمزہ ملک @aliya_hamza کے ہمراہ پرامن احتجاج کی بھی اجازت نہیں دی جا رہی۔
یہ کیسا قانون ہے؟ یہ کیسی ریاست ہے؟#خان_کی_کال_مزاحمت_کی_یلغار #پانچ_اگست_فیصلہ_کن#پرامن_ملک_گیر_تحریک pic.twitter.com/auMpLjhwgw
— PTI Punjab (@PTIPunjabPK) August 5, 2025
According to the statement, the incident occurred while the party’s Punjab chief organiser Malik was in the car. PTI’s Punjab wing further said that authorities were not allowing peaceful protests to proceed.
تحصیل ٹل سے عظیم الشان قافلہ اسوقت ہنگو کی جانب رواں دواں…. #اب_خاموشی_غداری_ہے#حق_كى_جيت_ہو_گى#PTIProtest #FreeImranKhan @PTIofficial pic.twitter.com/TBnMMoYrOT
— Maj (R) Latasob Satti (@RLatasob) August 5, 2025
Former deputy speaker in National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri wrote on X that overnight raids were carried out in the homes of PTI leaders and workers in Lahore and individuals in civvies were seen breaking CCTV cameras.
لاہور میں رات بھر تحریکِ انصاف کے رہنماؤں و کارکنوں کے گھروں پر چھاپوں سے قبل سول کپڑوں میں ملبوس افراد سی سی ٹی وی کیمرے توڑتے رہے، آئی جی پنجاب کے بقول فورس کو گالی مت نکالیں وردی پہننے والے آپ کےلیے راتوں کو جاگتےہیں۔
آئی جی صاحب پھر آپ کو گالی نکالیں؟pic.twitter.com/go5ZeRwnGg
— Qasim Khan Suri (@QasimKhanSuri) August 5, 2025
Arrests made
More than six MPAs have been arrested in Lahore. Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Qureshi has been detained.
MPAs Farukh Javed Moon, Colonel Shoaib, Nadeem Sadiq Dogar, Khawaja Salahuddin, Aminullah Khan, and Iqbal Khattak have also been arrested.
Meanwhile, Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar issued a statement saying “don’t abuse the force (police) – those in uniform stay awake at night for your safety”.
PTI has been preparing to join the protest from various constitutencies across Lahore.
According to PTI Lahore President Imtiaz Shaikh, the party will hold strong demonstrations in multiple areas of Lahore, and an attempt will be made to stage a central power show at one location. However, given the situation an alternative plan has also been prepared.
The party claims that, to stop the protest, police have detained more than 300 workers from Lahore and are conducting raids on the homes of party leaders.
Security measures
Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, police have put in place extensive security measures, with over 4,000 officers deployed across the city, said the City Police Officer (CPO).
Special arrangements have also been made around Adiala Jail, including the deployment of Riot Management Force units to strengthen control in sensitive areas. Section 144 has been imposed in Rawalpindi, and authorities have vowed to ensure its full enforcement.
According to the CPO, law enforcement is monitoring the situation through Safe City cameras and other surveillance tools.
Any violation of the law will prompt immediate action, he said, adding that no individual or group will be allowed to disturb public life.
Police pickets and patrolling teams have been activated citywide as part of efforts to maintain law and order. The CPO reiterated that the rule of law and public peace will be upheld at all costs.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
A convoy from Tehsil Tall is currently heading towards Hangu.
