Islamabad, February 8, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and leaders staged countrywide protests on Saturday, marking February 8 as a ‘black day’ against what they claim was the theft of their mandate in last year’s general elections. The demonstrations led to clashes with police, arrests, and heightened security measures in multiple cities.
Protests erupted in Multan, Muzaffarabad, Kashmore, Sialkot, Shahpur Chakar, Kacchi, Nowshera Feroze, and Kandhkot, with some rallies facing police crackdowns under Section 144 restrictions. Meanwhile, a planned PTI rally in Swabi saw lower-than-expected attendance.
Clashes and arrests in multiple cities
In Multan, PTI leaders Mehr Bano Qureshi, Makhdoom Zahid Bahar Hashmi, and Daler Mahar were arrested for violating Section 144, which bans public gatherings. Police also detained several party workers from Pul Chattha Makhdoom Rashid, though officials did not disclose exact numbers.
Elsewhere, Senator Aun Abbas Bappi and MNA Malik Aamir Dogar led separate rallies in violation of the ban. Bappi’s protest march moved along Sher Shah Road, while Dogar’s rally passed through the district court.
In Muzaffarabad, police clashed with PTI supporters at Azadi Chowk, arresting Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly Khawaja Farooq Ahmed and former minister Hanif Awan. Assistant Commissioner Mohiuddin Gilani later confirmed that Khawaja Farooq was placed under house arrest.
Another PTI demonstration in Dumail, led by former AJK Prime Minister Abdul Qayyum Niazi, was dispersed by law enforcement, with police vehicles sent to detain Niazi.
In Kashmore, Sindh, police resisted a major PTI rally moving from the Old Road to the main road, resorting to lathi charge (baton charge) to disperse the crowd. Three PTI workers were arrested but later released.
Similarly, in Thatta, police detained more than 10 PTI workers following a protest rally. Security forces were stationed from the traffic checkpoint to Press Thatta, leading to the protesters dispersing after the arrests.
Underwhelming turnout at Swabi rally
A key PTI rally in Swabi, scheduled for 2 PM, failed to attract a significant crowd even after the scheduled start time. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Omer Ayub were set to address the gathering, with 1,300 police personnel deployed, including reinforcements from neighboring districts.
Despite the slow turnout, convoys of PTI workers traveled from Nowshera, Kohat, and Jamrud to join the event. Leading these groups were MPA Ashfaq Ahmed, Law Minister Aftab Alam, MNA Shehryar Afridi, MPA Shafi Jan, and MPA Dawood Afridi. In Jamrud, PTI supporters chanted slogans in favor of party founder Imran Khan.
PTI Vows Continued Protests
PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar declared that the Swabi rally would be “historic,” asserting that the nation still stands with Imran Khan. He also hinted at a potential march to Islamabad, stating, “When the founder gives the order, we will march to the capital.”
