Punjab Govt Warns PTI Against August 14 Protest Plans

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The Punjab government has sternly cautioned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against holding rallies on August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day, promising strict legal action to ensure national celebrations remain undisturbed.

The Punjab government has issued a firm warning to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a major opposition party, against organizing protests or rallies on August 14, 2025, Pakistan’s Independence Day. According to a statement reported by The News International, provincial authorities emphasized that any attempt to disrupt the national festivities will face stringent enforcement under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which prohibits public gatherings of four or more people without prior permission. The government’s stance comes amid heightened tensions, as PTI has recently intensified its protest activities to demand the release of its leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 on multiple charges.

Punjab’s Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, addressed the media on August 7, 2025, asserting that the PTI’s history of disruptive protests, particularly in Punjab, threatens public order. “The provincial government will not allow chaos under the guise of political rallies,” Bukhari stated, as quoted by Geo.tv, accusing PTI of prioritizing unrest over constructive dialogue. She referenced past incidents, including the violent May 9, 2023, riots following Khan’s arrest, which caused Rs1.98 billion in damages to government and military facilities, according to Punjab Police reports cited by DAWN. The government’s decision to impose Section 144 aims to safeguard the solemnity of Independence Day celebrations, which include flag-hoisting ceremonies and public events across the province.

The PTI, led in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has been vocal about its plans for nationwide rallies, with a significant protest campaign launched on July 13, 2025, under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP). PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the party intends to continue its demonstrations until Imran Khan is freed, as reported by ProKerala. However, the Punjab government’s preemptive measures, including heightened security and potential road closures, signal a robust response to any unauthorized gatherings. Bukhari urged PTI to seek legal permissions for protests, warning that violators will face arrests, per Arab News. This clash underscores the ongoing political friction between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) coalition and PTI, raising concerns about stability as Pakistan commemorates its 78th Independence Day.