Section 144 in Pakistan's Rawalpindi as PTI plans protest over Imran Khan's arrest
The country is bracing for a fresh round of protests as the former ruling party has announced it will take to the streets across Pakistan on August 5, marking two years of Khan's incarceration, demanding his release and relief for the inflation-hit masses.
The ban, effective from August 4 to August 10, prohibits all types of rallies, sit-ins, demonstrations, protests, and gatherings of more than four people within the district limits, as per Geo News.
Senior Superintendent of Adiala Jail Abdul Ghafoor Anjum sent a letter to City Police Officer (CPO), seeking additional security to prevent a possible protest by PTI supporters outside the prison.
In his letter, the jail superintendent noted that there are currently 7,700 inmates in the prison, while its capacity is only 2,174.
"PTI has planned a protest outside the jail on August 5," the officer said, stressing the need for urgent measures to ensure foolproof security at the facility, where the PTI founder is serving jail terms in multiple cases ranging from treason to terrorism.
Additional police personnel, barriers, and surveillance should be deployed outside Rawalpindi jail to avoid any untoward incident, the letter stated.
According to Geo News, separate requests were also sent to the Home Department, IG Prisons, and RPO for security, it added.
The officer further said that Rawalpindi jail was "very sensitive" due to the presence of political prisoners and terrorists.
Additional security should be deployed from Dahgal Checkpost to Gate No. 5 of Adiala Jail, the letter said.
PTI has repeatedly called for Khan's release, who has been behind bars for over a year. The deposed prime minister was arrested in Lahore on August 5, 2023, after being sentenced to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts.
The protest call was made by PTI stalwart Asad Qaiser during a press conference on Sunday, jointly addressed by the party's Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan and other leaders in Islamabad.
"August 5 marks the day of the PTI founder's arrest; we will stage protests on that day," Qaiser said, referring to the Toshakhana case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Telangana high court sets aside remand order for violating 24-hour norm
Hyderabad: Justice N Tukaramji of Telangana high court on Tuesday set aside the judicial remand of a man arrested by the Malakpet police in a case, holding that he was produced before the magistrate beyond the mandatory 24-hour limit prescribed under the Criminal Procedure Code (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, BNSS). The judge pronounced the order while allowing the criminal revision case filed by Syed Dastagir, a student-cum-Rapido captain from Edi Bazar in Hyderabad. The judge ruled that the VII additional chief judicial magistrate, Hyderabad, had mechanically authorized the custody of the petitioner — arrayed as accused number 8 in FIR No. 252 of 2025 — without examining procedural lapses and statutory safeguards. The petitioner was arrested from his residence at 10:15pm on July 7 and produced before court at 11:35pm the next day, exceeding the 24-hour limit by about 80 minutes. The delay, the court held, rendered the remand illegal in terms of Sections 57 and 167 of the CrPC (BNSS). You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The court noted that the alleged offences under Sections 318(4) and 204 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, were punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years. Citing the Supreme Court's ruling in Arnesh Kumar Vs State of Bihar and provisions of Section 35(3) BNSS, the judge said police ought to have issued a notice of appearance instead of arresting the petitioner. Justice Tukaramji observed that the magistrate's order failed to record judicial reasons addressing the legality of the arrest, the delay in production, or compliance with statutory requirements — amounting to non-application of mind. Setting aside the July 8 remand order, Justice Tukaramji directed the magistrate to secure the petitioner's immediate release. Within a week of release, he must execute a personal bond of 10,000 with two sureties for a like sum. The petitioner was directed to cooperate with further proceedings, failing which coercive steps could be taken.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
BJP calls for boycott of Kamal Haasan's movies over ‘sanatana dharma' remarks
The Tamil Nadu BJP on Tuesday urged people to boycott movies featuring the actor-politician Kamal Haasan, in a response to his comments on 'sanatana dharma' made at a charity event held on Sunday. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan said that only education has the power to change the nation and it is the only weapon that can break the shackles of dictatorship and Sanatana. (PTI) BJP state secretary Amar Prasad Reddy posted a video message onto his social media accounts, wherein he said: 'Earlier it was Udhayanidhi Stalin. Now, it is Kamal who wants to destroy sanatana dharma. Let's teach them a lesson.' 'I appeal to every Hindu to not watch Kamal's movies, not even on OTT. If we do this, they will not share such irresponsible statements that hurt millions of Hindus on public platforms,' he added. At the event on Sunday organised by Agaram Foundation, a non-profit run by fellow Tamil actor Suriya, Kamal Haasan said: 'Only education has the power to change the nation. It is the only weapon that can break the shackles of dictatorship and Sanatana.' The actor was referring to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which the ruling DMK wants abolished. Haasan also said that a central exam for medical admissions was a barrier for marginalised students. 'Do not take any other weapon in your hand. It isn't possible to win with any other weapon because ignorant majoritarianism will defeat you,' added Haasan, who recently became a member of the Rajya Sabha after being nominated by the DMK after his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) entered into an alliance with them ahead of the Lok Sabha elections last year. The controversy around the actor's comments recalled the row that erupted in 2023 around deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's call for the eradication of sanatana dharma, wherein he said: 'Just like dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, we have to eradicate Sanatana.' Historically, the DMK has considered sanatana dharma to be a centuries-old issue which compounds caste and gender-based discrimination. This point has found itself echoed by the writings of BR Ambedkar. Haasan's former co-actor Khusboo Sundar, who was recently appointed vice president of the state BJP, said that Haasan's comments were unnecessary. 'I feel Kamal sir speaking at an event like this about education and bringing in Sanatana was absolutely uncalled for, unwanted,' Sundar told PTI. 'You could have just stressed on the importance of education because we all agree education is your biggest weapon. Speaking there about Sanatana was absolutely wrong because nobody is including education with Sanatana...,' he added. Haasan has not personally issued any response to the BJP's criticism, as of the time of going to print. Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said that the entire right wing was enraged with Haasan's speech. 'Kamal Haasan has hit the bull's eye. They (the right wing) don't know how to react. They are not able to attack him and know his powers of amplification,' he said.
Deccan Herald
3 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
SC says sessions court has power to summon additional accused
The court rejected the argument that summons cannot be issued under Section 193 of the CrPC, because the magistrate had already taken cognisance of offence while committing the case to the sessions court.
