Party Marks Three Years Since Imran Khan’s Arrest
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced plans to hold rallies across the country on August 5, marking three years since former prime minister Imran Khan was imprisoned.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced the decision after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group. He said the gathering initially had a single agenda, but members also discussed the wider political situation in Pakistan.
The parliamentary party condemned the continued imprisonment of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. PTI maintains that the cases against both leaders are politically motivated, a claim rejected by government officials and prosecutors.
August 5 carries major political significance for PTI. Imran Khan was arrested in Lahore on August 5, 2023, after an Islamabad court sentenced him to three years in prison in a case involving the sale of state gifts. That sentence was later suspended, but he remained imprisoned because of other cases.
The planned demonstrations will mark the third anniversary of that arrest. The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan has also discussed launching a nationwide protest campaign on August 5. Final plans could include several demonstrations across the country or a major central gathering.
PTI Says New Protest Will Follow Different Strategy
Barrister Gohar said the August 5 campaign would be different from previous party protests. However, he did not immediately disclose its locations, schedule or organisational structure.
He said PTI’s political committee and the wider opposition alliance would jointly announce the future course of action. Party leaders are expected to consult provincial organisations before confirming venues and mobilisation plans.
PTI lawmakers believe Imran Khan’s continued imprisonment is unjust, according to Gohar. He said the party had approached the courts for relief, but decisions on several appeals remained pending.
The party is likely to focus its campaign on demands for the release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and other imprisoned leaders and workers. PTI may also raise concerns about political restrictions, court delays and the treatment of its members.
The opposition alliance has said sustained political engagement is necessary to address the country’s wider challenges. PTI officials have stated that they support the alliance’s planned protest campaign and its principal demands.
The party has previously organised rallies on August 5. Demonstrations held in 2025 marked two years since Imran Khan’s imprisonment and resulted in the detention of numerous PTI supporters in several cities.
Authorities have not yet announced whether permission will be required for the 2026 gatherings or whether restrictions will be imposed in major cities.
Aleema Khan Urges Workers to Increase Pressure
The announcement follows calls from Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, for party workers to intensify their campaign for his release.
Addressing supporters in Lower Dir on July 12, she urged party organisations to remain active, united and disciplined. She also called on PTI lawmakers to leave their homes and participate fully in the planned anti-government movement.
Aleema has repeatedly criticised what she describes as a lack of urgency among some party representatives. She has urged workers to hold elected lawmakers accountable and ensure their participation in demonstrations.
PTI’s leadership faces the challenge of turning its nationwide support into an organised political campaign. Differences over protest strategy, leadership decisions and negotiations have previously created uncertainty within the party.
The political committee and opposition alliance are now expected to determine whether the August 5 activities will remain limited to local rallies or form the beginning of a longer national movement.
Legal Cases Continue to Keep Imran Khan in Prison
Imran Khan has remained imprisoned since August 2023 despite receiving relief in several cases.
His conviction in the state secrets case was overturned in June 2024. A separate 14-year sentence involving state gifts was also suspended while the appeal remained under consideration.
However, other convictions and pending proceedings have prevented his release. In December 2025, a court sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison in another state gifts corruption case. At that time, he was also serving a separate 14-year sentence in a land corruption case.
Imran Khan denies wrongdoing and says the cases are intended to remove him from political activity. PTI has repeatedly demanded faster hearings and decisions on his appeals.
The former prime minister was removed from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022. Since then, he has faced cases involving corruption, state secrets, terrorism allegations and protests linked to the violence of May 9, 2023.
The government maintains that the cases are being handled by independent courts and that political status does not place anyone above the law.
Health Concerns Add Urgency to PTI Campaign
Imran Khan’s family and party have also raised concerns about his health and treatment inside Adiala Jail.
In June, he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for a scheduled follow-up examination. Doctors administered a fifth anti-VEGF intravitreal injection as part of his continuing eye treatment.
He has been treated for central retinal vein occlusion, a condition caused by blockage of the main vein carrying blood away from the retina. The condition can affect vision and requires regular medical monitoring.
The PIMS administration said he remained clinically stable during the procedure and had shown improvement during examination.
PTI and members of Khan’s family have repeatedly demanded unrestricted access to specialist doctors and regular family meetings. Prison and government authorities have previously said medical care is being provided in accordance with official procedures.
The August 5 rallies are expected to place renewed political focus on Imran Khan’s imprisonment, legal appeals and medical condition. PTI hopes the nationwide campaign will increase pressure for his release, while the final scale and format of the demonstrations remain to be announced.
