PTI, JI observe 'Black Day'
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sindh, observed Saturdya, February 8, 2024, as a "Black Day" in protest against the 'theft'of the people's mandate in the general elections. The PTI held strong protests across various cities of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Larkana, and several others, against the manipulation of the electoral process. At Karachi Press Club, police attempted to halt the protest, and over 25 PTI leaders and workers were arrested across different cities during efforts to suppress the protests.
The protests focused on the theft of the mandate and the demand for the release of PTI chairman Imran Khan. PTI's workers and leaders showed remarkable determination, and the number of participants increased steadily as the protests unfolded across the region. PTI leadership declared that they would not back down from their struggle and that the protests would continue until their rights were restored.
In Karachi, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azher, and General Secretary Arsalan Khalid led a large protest at Karachi Press Club, highlighting the theft of the people's mandate. PTI's winning candidates, based on Form 45, held rallies and marches across different constituencies of Karachi, culminating in the protest at the Press Club. The PTI Women's Wing, Labour Wing, Youth Wing, and other district leaders and workers from PTI participated in large numbers. Despite heavy police deployment around the Press Club, the protest was held at Fountain Chowk, where strong slogans were raised against the "fake government" formed through mandate theft.
Meanwhile, JI Ameer Monem Zafar has condemned what he described as "establishment-sponsored rigging" of the February 8, 2024 general elections.
Addressing the protesters outside the Election Commission of Pakistan's Sindh office on Saturday, the JI leader vowed that his party would continue to resist the "products of Form 47," referring to the current coalition government and those responsible for installing it.
The protest, which was part of a nationwide "black day" observed by JI, marked the anniversary of what the party considers the "rigged" 2024 elections. This protest was in response to the appeal made by JI Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Participants carried placards and banners, chanting slogans against the "products of Form 47" and calling for justice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
'PTI's protest movement is ineffective' says Rana Sanaullah
Listen to article Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Public and Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's protest call won't bear fruit as the party is not in a position to lead any such movement at the moment. Speaking to the media after offering Eid al-Adha prayers in Faislabad, the SAPM said Pakistan is now on the path to economic stability and development, but overcoming existing challenges requires national unity, political consensus, and alignment on an economic agenda, which he called the most urgent need of the time. He said Pakistan is transitioning from economic decline toward economic stability — a dream of the country's founding fathers. He added that thanks to national unity and courageous decisions by the political leadership, Pakistan is once again on a path of development. He revealed that India made an unjustified and arrogant attempt to attack Pakistan last month, but armed forces, with the backing of the people, delivered a strong response and shattered the enemy's arrogance. He said that the ongoing military operation, 'Bunyan-un-Marsoos', being carried out in the name of justice, has achieved historic success, and Pakistan has emerged before the world as a strong nuclear power. Read: FO slams Modi's 'unfounded' allegations on Pahalgam attack He extended congratulations to Field Marshal General Asim Munir and every soldier involved, saying they all deserve recognition for this success. Sanaullah said that under the leadership of PM Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has stepped onto the path of economic growth. He once again called on PTI and all political parties to come together for the country's betterment and agree on the Charter of Economy, just as the entire nation had shown unity and consensus between May 6 and May 10. He stressed that politics can wait — what's most important is fixing the economy, especially since 240 million Pakistanis are struggling with inflation and economic pressures. He appealed to opposition leaders to accept the Prime Minister's invitation and agree on the formation of a neutral Election Commission so that the next general elections are free and fair, leaving no room for objection. The adviser said that Pakistan has earned respect and recognition at the global level — countries that once distanced themselves are now compelled to listen. He warned that if political leaders continue to prioritise personal or group interests, it will go against national interest. He urged the public to put pressure on political parties to put the nation first. Commenting on PTI's protest movement, Rana Sanaullah said the movement is ineffective because the party lacks both preparation and public support. He further criticised Imran Khan, saying that if the former Prime Minister ties his release to the country's economic progress, it would be an injustice to the nation. Speaking on India's intentions, he responded to a question saying that the Modi government is following the RSS's extremist agenda and is hostile toward both Pakistan and Muslims. Read more: Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against India He assured that India would not dare attack again, although efforts to destabilise Pakistan through terrorism would likely continue. He added that while the military has fulfilled its duties, it is now the responsibility of the political leadership to unite for national development. He claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is taking the upcoming local government elections seriously and will participate actively under the new Local Government Act. He confirmed that these elections will be held on a party basis. Sanaullah also said that the Punjab government is working on welfare schemes such as the Kisan Card, Mazdoor Card, and Mazoor Card to improve the quality of life for ordinary citizens. He concluded by noting that major national projects, including Pakistan's nuclear tests, were completed during PML-N's tenure, and that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is now stepping forward with a new vision of public service.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
PTI activists protest outside SHC, brave police brutality
During the hearing for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan's bail plea in the Al-Qadir Trust case, PTI leaders and workers staged a protest outside the Sindh High Court (SHC) under the leadership of PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh. The protesters demanded the release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and other PTI leaders in custody, along with their acquittal in the false cases filed against them. During the peaceful demonstration, a police contingent attempted to arrest Haleem Adil Sheikh and other leaders. However, PTI lawyers intervened, and escorted Sheikh and the others into the court premises. Haleem Adil Sheikh stated, "our protest was peaceful, yet the police resorted to brutality and violence, which we will challenge in court. A civilian dictatorship has been established in Sindh, and martial law has been imposed across the country." Sheikh further said that Imran Khan has remained falsely imprisoned for over 600 days, stating, "the 26th Constitutional Amendment has resulted in a massacre of justice, and the judiciary has been weakened." Regarding the Al-Qadir Trust case, Sheikh asserted that Imran Khan is not a beneficiary and has committed no corruption, and instead "the real corruption was committed by Asif Ali Zardari and others, who purchased flats in London using stolen money, with the Sharif family as the beneficiaries. Imran Khan, on the other hand, established Al-Qadir University for religious education."
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
Sentence suspension in £190m case: IHC grants 7-day to NAB for appointing special prosecutor in IK, Bushra's pleas
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted seven days to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for appointing special prosecutor in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi's appeals seeking suspension of their sentence in £190 million case. A two-member bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif, on Thursday, heard the case and adjourned the hearing until June 11, when the NAB told the court that it needed time to prepare arguments for the case. During the hearing, Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi argued that the petitions for suspension of the sentence were heard, after much prayers and supplications, adding that today's date has not been given easily. NAB Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood appeared before the court and said that his request is that the federal government had to appoint a special prosecutor in this case but he has not been appointed yet. Rafay prayed the court to grant four week, stating that they had received the notice yesterday. The acting chief justice said for issuing notification for the prosecution team seven days are enough. Salman Safdar contended that more than 300 cases have been filed against the founder of PTI and the trial court sentenced him. Lawyer Latif Khosa said 'the PTI founder is in jail without any evidence; the PTI founder neither will go abroad nor is there any risk of tampering with the record.' The court directed the NAB prosecution team to notify the special prosecutor within seven days and adjourned the hearing until June 11. In this matter, founder PTI Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi approached the IHC seeking suspension of their sentences in the £190 million case. They moved the court through their counsel Barrister Salman Safdar and cited the state and the chairman NAB as respondents. Counsel Salman stated in petition that the petitioners were convicted by the Accountability Court (I) Islamabad through judgment dated 17.01.2025, wherein, they were held guilty for commission of offence of corruption and corrupt practices as defined u/s 9(a)(ii)(iv)(vi) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 and Imran was sentenced u/s 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 to undergo rigorous imprisonment (RI) for 14 years and fine amounting to Rs1,000,000. Through the instant petition, they sought indulgence of this court for 'Suspension' of conviction and sentence awarded to them, till the final disposal of the main appeal already filed in the IHC. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
