PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar announced on Sunday that his father, former Punjab governor Mian Azhar, was arrested by the Punjab police ahead of an election rally in Lahore. The arrest occurred as the PTI prepared for its first major countrywide power show after the May 9 protests. Hammad expressed his outrage on social media, stating that his father, an 82-year-old PTI-backed independent candidate, was exercising his democratic and constitutional right to lead a rally. He criticized the state of Pakistan, describing it as a “total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law” being controlled by Nawaz Sharif and his daughter.
In response to the arrest, the PTI condemned the action and criticized the unequal treatment of its candidates compared to other political parties. The party also expressed concern over the continuous raiding of homes and businesses belonging to its leadership and workers, accusing the government of causing damage to the country.
The PTI’s first countrywide power show, scheduled for today, was announced by founding chairman Imran Khan as a response to the arrest and to demonstrate the party’s strength. Imran directed all ticket holders to hold rallies across the country, warning that failure to do so would result in the cancellation of their tickets. The party is also set to launch its 158-page manifesto during the event. The announcement comes after protests and riots erupted across the country following Imran’s arrest on May 9, 2023.