Imran Khan’s Supporters Rally Across Pakistan on 2nd Year of His Imprisonment

Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan marched across Pakistan on August 5, 2025, marking the second anniversary of his arrest in August 2023. Demonstrators demanded his release, decried political repression, and called for the restoration of democratic norms amid intensifying state crackdowns.

Mass Detentions and Crackdowns in Major Cities

• In Lahore, authorities arrested over 150 protesters overnight and during rallies, including Rehana Dar, a 73‑year‑old PTI politician who drew widespread attention after being seen being forced into a police van.
• The party claimed over 200 arrests in Lahore alone, while police reported around 30 to 120 detentions across Punjab including assembly members and grassroots activists.
• Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Quetta also saw protests and detentions, though Islamabad remained largely quiet under heavy security deployment.

PTI Mobilises Support Nationwide

PTI leaders described the rallies as peaceful demonstrations part of a broader struggle against what they termed “political victimisation”, presenting a detailed white paper documenting alleged human rights abuses since Khan’s detention. Thousands joined in cities like Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, and South Waziristan, displaying PTI flags, photographs of Khan, and calling for justice.

Political Fallout and Ongoing Turmoil

The anniversary protests coincided with the disqualification of several PTI lawmakers, including Omar Ayub, following court sentences in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots, during which PTI supporters clashed with security forces at military facilities. Over 100 PTI activists have recently been jailed for up to 10 years in mass sentences announced late July 2025.

Analysts say these developments underscore a deepening political standoff between civilian democracy advocates (led by PTI) and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment, now headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Imran Khan’s Continued Leadership from Prison

From jail, Khan issued a message via X/Y urging supporters to maintain peaceful resistance until democracy is restored. His party insists that all charges against him are politically motivated, including corruption, terrorism, and disclosure of state secrets. He was sentenced to 14 years in January 2025, while his wife faces a 7‑year sentence; both deny any wrongdoing.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Associated Press, Business Recorder, Reuters, Dawn