PTI’s Alamgir Khan detained briefly as party holds protest against constitutional amendment

Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Alamgir Khan was briefly detained from outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday. He was shifted to the Artillery Maidan police station, but District South police chief SSP Sajid Saduzai said he was later released, adding that no one else had been detained.

The ex-lawmaker, however, told The News that he and his Fixit colleague Niaz had been taken into custody by the police, and both of them were later released.

He mentioned that the police had tried to arrest him under an old FIR, but he was already on bail in all the previous cases filed against him. As a result, he pointed out, the police could not arrest them based on any old FIR, so they eventually had to release them.

A PTI spokesperson said Alamgir Khan was part of a demonstration that was held to protest against “unconstitutional” amendments and for party founder Imran Khan’s release.

The protest was attended by senior party leaders, including PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, Pakistan’s former president Arif Alvi, former MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman, Sindh Assembly parliamentary party leader Shabbir Qureshi, Senior Vice President Aftab Jahangir, Jamal Siddiqui, Women Wing President Serena Adnan, Women Wing Sindh President Fizza Zeeshan, Minorities Wing President Suleman Latif, Labour Wing President Imran, and several district presidents and legal team members.

Azhar emphasised that as the country’s “largest” party, the PTI rejects the current “unconstitutional” amendments imposed through the “Form 47” government. He vowed that peaceful protests would continue until the party founder is released, and that the scope of these protests would expand.

“Karachi will show its support for the Kaptaan [Imran Khan] just as it did on February 8,” he said. He raised questions about the judiciary’s role, pointing out that the recent developments raise suspicions “if Justice Qazi Faez Isa is aiding Nawaz Sharif”.

He also criticised the Sindh government for the “harassment” of PTI workers through regular police actions, and condemned the “unlawful” detention of former MNA Alamgir Khan from the protest.

Khalid reaffirmed the PTI’s “commitment to peaceful politics”, recalling “the freedom of speech and the freedom of protest provided during our tenure”. He reiterated that a “peaceful” protest was held for the party founder’s release and against the “unconstitutional” amendments, promising that protests would continue until Imran Khan is freed.