The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) informally started the ‘Free Imran Khan movement’ from Lahore demanding the release of the incarcerated former prime minister with police making several arrests to prevent party workers from joining the protest, the party said on Sunday. This informal launch comes less than a month ahead of PTI party’s earlier declared date of August 5.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister and a prominent PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur reached Lahore on Saturday night along with the party leaders declaring the launch of the movement. Khan, 72, has been behind bars since August 2023.

The PTI is gearing up to launch a massive drive from August 5 across the country to press the Shehbaz Sharif government and military establishment to free Khan. Gandapur and other main leaders of the party are camping in a farmhouse in Lahore’s Raiwind area, adjacent to the Sharif family residence, in the city to give a final shape to their protest campaign.