Swat rally: PTI leaders demand release of PTI founder

MINGORA: Leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) here on Friday demanded the release of party founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other political prisoners.

The rally, organized by PTI, attracted a good turnout with charged slogans in favour of the incarcerated leadership.Addressing the gathering Barikot area in, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar said that Pakistan needed Imran Khan’s leadership. He demanded the release of all political detainees, the withdrawal of what he termed “fake FIRs,” and the public reappearance of senior PTI leader Murad Saeed.

“The nation has already delivered its verdict through the vote,” said Akbar. “The public will not tolerate any further delay. The voice of the people cannot be suppressed by force.”

PTI leader Murad Saeed addressed the crowd through video link, announcing the launch of a nationwide movement for the release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and other party leaders and workers.

Referring to the Katlang tragedy, Murad Saeed accused the state of targeting innocent civilians under the pretext of counter-terrorism.“These individuals were falsely labeled as terrorists and subjected to violence,” he alleged. “They were ordinary citizens, and their blood will not go in vain,” he went on to claim.

He alleged that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Dr Amjad Ali, who stood with the victims, was issued serious threats.Murad Saeed demanded the registration of FIR against those responsible for the Mardan operation.

Reiterating PTI’s commitment to peaceful resistance, he hinted at another Islamabad march, stating, “We will not compromise on the rights of our people. Swat and the Malakand Division are being pushed back into an era of terrorism, and we will never let that happen.”

He maintained that Imran Khan was the most popular leader in Pakistan, citing his past contributions to peace and national development. “I myself have been displaced for the sake of peace, but we will not surrender our homeland to any form of occupation,” he declared.Provincial ministers, Members Provincial Assembly, and citizens attended the rally in large numbers.