PTI’s Salman Akram Raja voices concern over low turnout at August 5 protest

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Salman Akram Raja expressed concern over the low turnout of party workers at the protest held on August 5, the second anniversary of PTI founder Imran Khan's arrest and incarceration.

Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, Salman Raja acknowledged the protest's partial success but noted that public participation was lacking.

“I believe that yesterday’s protest was successful to some extent, but I will raise the issue of the low turnout with the party leadership, including the founder himself,” he said.

He added that while the demonstration sent a message, it could have been stronger had more people taken to the streets. “This matter must be brought to the attention of former prime minister Imran Khan,” he asserted.

Read: Police crackdown on PTI protesters in Karachi, arrests reported

While recalling the August 5 protest, Raja said, “Mehmood Khan Achakzai and I stood alongside Imran Khan’s family members at the Chakri Interchange until 11:00 am. If a protest is held at Imran Khan’s call, no party MNA has a reason not to be present. "

Raja also criticized the ongoing legal cases against Khan, particularly Toshakhana II, calling them “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.”

He added that Khan’s family, legal counsel, and media representatives were barred from attending the Cipher case hearings despite court instructions mandating an open trial. “If the public and media are not allowed inside, it cannot be called an open trial,” he remarked.

On the other hand, Chairman of the party Barrister Gohar and Information Advisor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa described yesterday’s rally as successful. 

Gohar said that people from all 170 districts, all Tehsils, and Union Councils attended the demonstration, proving that they were standing with the PTI founder. 

Read: PTI suffers major setback as ECP disqualifies 9 lawmakers including top leaders

Earlier on Tuesday, PTI workers held demonstrations across the country, calling for an end to Khan’s incarceration. Imran Khan, who has been in prison since 2023, was initially sentenced in the Cipher and Toshakhana I cases, though those verdicts were later overturned by the Islamabad High Court.

Despite the annulment, Khan still faces trial in the May 9 riots case, which began after his dramatic arrest from within the premises of the Islamabad High Court.

His arrest sparked violent nationwide protests, resulting in attacks on public and military properties, including the torching of Jinnah House in Lahore.