Major cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Quetta saw large-scale protests on Friday against firing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan a day ago. PTI supporters blocked streets and chanted slogans in favour of Imran.
In Karachi, a large number of protesters gathered outside Insaf House at Shahrah-e-Faisal.The Karachi Traffic Police asked commuters to avoid traveling on Shahrah-e-Faisal and use alternate routes to avoid hassle and inconvenience.
In Lahore, a large number of PTI supporters are protesting at Shahdara Chowk, Faisal Chowk and Liberty Chowk. Traffic in these areas is being diverted to alternate routes.
In Rawalpindi, protestors occupied Murree Road and Faizabad Interchange. Moreover, they pelted stones at the police at Faizabad Interchange while the law enforcement agencies resorted to shelling.
On Friday, Imran held a meeting at Shaukat Khanum hospital in Lahore with senior leaders of the party following a firing incident on Thursday during PTI’s long march in which he sustained a bullet to his leg. PTI is terming it an assassination attempt.
Earlier on Friday, PTI leader Asad Umar announced countrywide protest after prayers. “The protests will continue until Imran Khan’s demands are met,” he tweeted.
On Thursday, Imran sustained an injury in Wazirabad, Gujranwala. The firing also resulted in injuries to PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan.
The incident came as PTI’s long march entered its seventh day. Imran had planned to spend the whole day in Wazirabad. His march, termed by the political party as ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’, has looked to build pressure on the coalition-led government to call early elections.
