Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the police of firing shots at its supporters during a rally in Islamabad on Sunday. The rally was held to demand the release of the party’s founder and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned.
In a social media post, PTI condemned the police for using force against what it described as “peaceful protesters,” referring to the situation as “Undeclared Martial Law.”
PTI’s statement on X read: “Scenes Pakistanis have grown accustomed to in this #UndeclaredMartialLaw. Heavy shelling by Islamabad police on peaceful Pakistanis gathered in massive numbers for Imran Khan & PTI’s rally. Shameful, despicable, desperate, cowardly behavior by the illegitimate, authoritarian regime. These disgraceful, unlawful acts only strengthen the people’s resolve to fight for their ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’!”
The party further criticized the police officers involved, calling their actions “disgusting and shameful,” and emphasized that the people had sent a “strong message” through the rally.
PTI had initially been denied permission to hold the rally multiple times, but despite this, supporters from across the region gathered on the outskirts of Islamabad. Party leader Hammad Azhar addressed the crowd, stating that the rally was about upholding the rule of law and the Constitution. He expressed confidence that the protest would lead to Imran Khan’s release.
“We will, God willing, secure Imran Khan’s release,” Azhar said during his speech.
The rally had originally been planned for July and later August, but was postponed after authorities revoked permission, citing security concerns. Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August, had his previous convictions suspended but was re-arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a new case shortly after a court accepted his appeals.
PTI has been trying for months to gain approval for a public rally in the capital but faced repeated rejections. The party sought permission from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in March and, after several delays, rescheduled the rally for September 8. Even as preparations were finalized for the current rally, the police blocked key entry points to the city, citing security threats.
Senior PTI leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser criticized the government’s tactics, calling it a “fascist regime” trying to create a “hostile environment” by placing blockades and containers to stop protesters from reaching the venue.
Qaiser said in a video posted on X: “They approved the NOC and the court has permitted the rally, but Rawalpindi has been closed off.” Punjab spokesperson Shaukat Basra also accused the Punjab police of following “unconstitutional orders” to prevent workers from attending the rally.
