Rallies in Shangla, Mansehra demand release of Imran Khan

BISHAM/ MANSEHRA: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday staged a big rally in Shangla and Mansehra districts to demand the immediate release of party founder Imran Khan.

The rally in Bisham town of Shangla was attended by several key PTI leaders, including Shaukat Yousafzai and others.In his speech, Shaukat Yousafzai said that it was no longer possible to keep Imran Khan imprisoned for an extended period. He warned that there was growing unrest among the public, and if the authorities failed to address the situation promptly, it could lead to disastrous consequences. Shaukat also criticised the federal government and termed its policies a failure that has ruined the economy and disturbed the peace and stability of the country.

“We are launching a renewed movement for Imran Khan’s release from Shangla,” he said and pointed out that the massive turnout was proof that the people were actively campaigning for Imran Khan’s freedom. “InshaAllah, if the leadership calls for it, we will once again head towards Islamabad,” he added.

He dismissed claims of any division in PTI, saying there were no fissures in the party. He made it clear that the party’s vote bank and influence were solely tied to Imran Khan’s leadership, and rumors of internal splits held no ground.

In Mansehra, the rally led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati also demanded the immediate release of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, calling the charges against him politically motivated.

“We are waging a peaceful Jihad for the release of our party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned on trumped-up charges,” Babar Swati told the participants of the rally. The central rally, led by Babar Swati, was joined by PTI workers from various parts of the district.

Participants marched through Abbottabad Road, Kashmir Road, and Shinkiari Road while chanting slogans and holding placards demanding Imran Khan’s release.The protest was held on the call of PTI’s provincial president, Junaid Akbar Khan, and culminated in a public gathering at Khatm-e-Nubowwat Chowk.

The Provincial Deputy President Kamal Saleem Swati, Divisional General Secretary in Hazara, Sardar Mohammad Khan, District President MPA Akramullah Ghazi, and Vice-President Zaheer Khan also addressed the gathering.

“We will not rest until Imran Khan, who is fighting for the people’s rights and true democracy, is released,” Babar Swati said.He also criticised the federal government for barring Khan’s family from meeting him and suppressing PTI leaders and workers. Divisional General Secretary Sardar Mohammad Khan announced that the party would expand its protests across the Hazara division.