Karachi police apprehended a number of PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) members on Sunday as they participated in a bike rally organized to show solidarity with Imran Khan, the imprisoned chief of the party. The rally took place at Numaish Chowrangi area in Karachi, following a call from the PTI leadership in Karachi the previous day.
The rally aimed to support Imran Khan, who has been subjected to what the party claims is unjust treatment in Attock jail. The party expressed concern over the violation of Khan’s fundamental rights, as well as the alleged failure to implement the jail manual in his case. Khurram Sher Zaman, president of the PTI’s Karachi chapter, urged the people of Karachi to stand together and raise their voices in support of Khan.
Despite police action, the party workers remained undeterred and successfully reached the Quaid’s Mausoleum near Numaish Chowrangi. However, some members were taken into police custody from that location. According to Almas, a spokesperson for the PTI in Karachi, around 30-35 party workers were detained.
On the other hand, Zaman claimed that over 140 workers were detained by the police since the previous night and during the rally. He questioned the violation of the right to assemble and participate in a peaceful rally. Zaman shared a video on social media showing police baton-charging individuals purportedly participating in Sunday’s rally.
Zaman further criticized the Sindh police for their actions, describing the harassment and intimidation of rally participants as a shameful act. He called on the police to adhere to democratic norms and mend their ways.
Contradicting Zaman’s statements, SHO Haider denied any baton-charging of rally participants. However, photographs from the event clearly showed the use of force by the police.
The detention of the PTI workers during the bike rally has raised concerns about the treatment of opposition party members and the freedom to express dissenting views in Pakistan.