Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has called on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership to reconsider the timing of their planned nationwide protest, emphasizing that national occasions should foster unity rather than political discord.
Speaking on Geo News’s programme Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal, Sanaullah said, “Independence Day should be a day for the entire nation to celebrate together, not one marked by political confrontation.”
His comments came in response to a post on August 6 from PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s X account, urging supporters to “take to the streets in full force” against what the party calls ongoing oppression. This followed the PTI’s unsuccessful protest attempt on August 5.
While Sanaullah expressed no objection to PTI’s right to protest, he stressed that the chosen date was inappropriate. “On August 14, the whole country celebrates with enthusiasm, and holding protests on that day goes against our traditions,” he remarked. “They can organize their protest on the 13th, 15th, or 16th instead.”
He praised opposition parties for demonstrating unity and coordination but criticized their decision to stage political demonstrations on national holidays.
Referring to PTI’s recent protest on August 5—observed as the “Day of Exploitation” to mark India’s revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy—Sanaullah said the nation had stood firmly with Kashmiris that day. “They announced a big movement, but in the end, nothing substantial happened,” he added.
On August 5, PTI held protests in various parts of the country demanding the release of Imran Khan, who completed two years in prison on that day.
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PTI sources claimed that police detained at least 300 party activists in Lahore overnight raids targeting party leaders and workers. Among those arrested were seven Punjab Assembly members, according to AFP quoting Zulfikar Bukhari. However, the police released the lawmakers later that evening.
The Punjab police statement confirmed the release of Deputy Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi, along with MPs Farrukh Javed Moon, Khawaja Salahuddin, Shoaib Amir, Amanullah Khan, and Iqbal Khattak. Rehana Dar, detained outside Aiwan-e-Adal, was also freed, according to the PTI central media cell.
In a message posted on PTI’s X account, Imran Khan urged supporters to “come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored in the country.”
The former cricket star served as prime minister from 2018 until his ouster through a no-confidence vote in 2022.