Latest news with #UzmaBukhari
Reuters
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Pakistan police arrest 240 protesters demanding ex-PM Khan's release
LAHORE, Pakistan, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Police in Pakistan arrested more than 240 opposition party activists on Tuesday at protests calling for the release of their leader Imran Khan on the second anniversary of his jailing, security officials and police said. At least 122 were arrested trying to block roads and threatening law and order in the eastern city of Lahore, capital of Punjab province, said Deputy Inspector General of police Faisal Kamran. The remainder were picked up in overnight raids in the province, two security officials said. Thousands rallied in support of Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is ruled by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, officials said. Police fired teargas in the cities of Karachi and Muzaffarabad. "Free Imran Khan!" chanted supporters outside a Lahore courthouse, while smaller groups staged protests across the city. Party spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said over 200 activists were detained in Lahore alone. "Down with the government!" shouted a group of PTI women supporters rallying in Quetta, while nearly 2,000 activists in Karachi held demonstrations on bikes, rickshaws, and other vehicles, carrying posters of Khan and party flags before police dispersed them by firing teargas. Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi remained quiet, with heavy police deployments on main roads. Uzma Bukhari, a spokesperson for Punjab's provincial government, said the PTI cannot be allowed to create chaos by holding the protests, a charge the party's spokesperson denied. In a message attributed to Khan on his party's X account on Monday, he urged supporters to "come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored". The former cricket star was elected prime minister in 2018 but once in office, he fell out with the powerful military and was ousted in 2022 by parliament. His arrest in May 2023 sparked protests against the military nationwide, leading to a crackdown on the party. Khan denies any wrongdoing and has dismissed as politically motivated the dozens of cases against him, ranging from terrorism to disclosure of official secrets. He was convicted in January in a corruption case, but was acquitted of other charges or received suspended sentences. Hundreds of Khan's party members including several parliamentarians were convicted late last month on charges related to the 2023 protests against his arrest. By law, nine of the parliamentarians were disqualified on Tuesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan said. Khan's party emerged as the single biggest in the 2024 election, and it says that vote rigging robbed it of more seats. Other parties joined forces to form a government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who denies coming to power through electoral fraud.
ABC News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
More than 150 Imran Khan supporters arrested at protests calling for his release from jail in Pakistan
Police in Pakistan have arrested more than 150 protesters calling for the release of jailed opposition leader Imran Khan, security officials and police said. Nearly 120 arrests were made during raids overnight and early Tuesday, with the remainder occurring during protests in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, they said. The protests coincided with the second anniversary of Khan's jailing. "Free Imran Khan," chanted around 200 supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party outside a Lahore courthouse, while smaller groups staged protests across the city. Deputy Inspector General of police Faisal Kamran told Reuters nearly three dozen activists attempting to block roads were among those arrested. Party spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari claimed over 200 activists were detained in Lahore alone. "Down with the government," shouted a group of PTI women supporters rallying in Quetta, while hundreds of activists in Karachi held demonstrations on bikes, rickshaws, and other vehicles, carrying Khan's posters and party flags. Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi remained quiet, with heavy police deployments on main roads. Uzma Bukhari, a spokesperson for Punjab's provincial government, labelled PTI a terrorist organisation, which the party's spokesperson denied. In a message attributed to Khan on his party's X account on Monday, he urged supporters to "come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored". The former cricket star was elected prime minister in 2018 but once in office, he fell out with the powerful military and was ousted in 2022 by parliament. His arrest in May 2023 sparked protests against the military nationwide, leading to a crackdown on the party. Khan denies any wrongdoing and has dismissed as politically motivated the dozens of cases against him, ranging from terrorism to disclosure of official secrets. He was convicted in January in a corruption case, but was acquitted of other charges or received suspended sentences. Hundreds of Khan's party members including several parliamentarians were convicted late last month on charges related to the 2023 protests against his arrest. By law, nine of the parliamentarians were disqualified on Tuesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan said. Khan's party emerged as the single biggest in the 2024 election, and it says that vote rigging robbed it of more seats. Other parties joined forces to form a government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who denies coming to power through electoral fraud. Reuters/ABC
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Fights, politics rock Rawalpindi Arts Council
Once known for promoting family entertainment and cultural heritage, the Rawalpindi Arts Council has now become a battleground — both political and physical. According to sources, frequent quarrels involving physical assaults have become a routine occurrence, while the administration often disappears during such incidents and no legal action is taken against those involved. In just the past four days, two fights broke out involving foul language and physical violence. Despite the chaos, no complaints were filed with the police by the council's administration. Established in 1975 during the tenure of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the council was meant to promote entertainment, highlight Punjabi culture, and support local artists through drama festivals. Over the past 50 years, it staged historic plays and launched the careers of many artists. However, in the past two years, the council has turned into a political arena. More than half of the artists, directors, and singers have been barred from entering the premises. A female director's play was pulled from the drama festival schedule at the last minute. A former director was removed abruptly at midnight due to alleged political pressures, sources said. Protests and rallies have been held by artists against these restrictions. The political entanglements are so intense that even a senator and two MNAs from the PML-N have failed to resolve the issues. As a result, the number of family attendees has significantly declined. In some shows, only security personnel, administrative staff, and artists' families are present, the sources claimed. Earlier this week, a serious altercation broke out before a play, with young men exchanging blows and hurling abuse. Women and children fled the scene, some running upstairs to escape the chaos. The brawl lasted nearly 30 minutes despite efforts by others to intervene. Families have appealed to Punjab's Information Minister Uzma Bukhari to visit the council, listen to all artist groups, and lift the bans to restore normalcy. They warned that if immediate action is not taken, the Arts Council could cease to exist as a cultural hub and become a full-fledged battlefield.
