A group of female activists from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a protest outside Adiala Jail, calling for the release of the party’s founder and expressing concerns about alleged mistreatment occurring within the facility.
The situation intensified when police clashed with journalists reporting on the protest, forcibly preventing cameramen and reporters from filming, even while Saddar Division SP Nabil Khokhar was present.
Many female PTI activists, led by party figure Kanwal Shauzab, assembled outside the jail, brandishing placards and chanting slogans demanding their leader’s release. The large turnout prompted a significant police presence.
In a statement to the media, Kanwal criticized the Adiala police for their heavy-handed approach, pointing out that while the police were armed, the protesters were peaceful and unarmed. She argued that stifling dissent jeopardizes the nation’s progress and highlighted the difficult conditions faced by the PTI founder in prison.
Shauzab criticised the Punjab government for escalating the situation and noted that the mistreatment of the PTI founder would not garner public support for those in power. She also condemned comments made by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, warning that if any harm came to the PTI founder, former premier Nawaz Sharif would be held accountable.
The protest, which lasted over an hour, remained peaceful, yet Shauzab expressed concern that false charges might be filed against the participants.
Source: Express Tribune