Former Pak PM's party launches 'Free Imran Khan movement' for his release from jail

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has informally kickstarted the 'Free Imran Khan movement' from Lahore demanding the release of the incarcerated former prime minister with police making several arrests to prevent party workers from joining the protest, the party said on Sunday.

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This informal launch comes less than a month ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s earlier declared date of August 5.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and a prominent PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur reached Lahore late on Saturday night along with the party leaders declaring the launch of the movement to free Khan, the patron-in-chief of the party.

The 72-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been behind bars since August 2023 after he was booked in multiple cases.

The PTI is gearing up to launch a massive drive from August 5 across the country to press the Shehbaz Sharif government and military establishment to free Khan.

Gandapur and other main leaders of the party are camping in a farmhouse in Lahore’s Raiwind area, adjacent to the Sharif family residence, in the city to give a final shape to their protest campaign.

Meanwhile, police reportedly arrested at least 20 PTI workers who gathered to welcome their leaders at different points in Lahore.