Jail Bharo Tehreek in Pakistan Highlights: Ex-PM Imran Khan's nationwide movement begins
Police officers detained PTI workers as well, forcing Imran Khan to call off the rally Photograph: (AFP)
<p>Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan started the "Jail Bharo Tehreek" movement on Wednesday (February 22) from Lahore. Khan, the chairperson of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said last week "We will fill jails, they [authorities] will have no space left to hide." Khan blamed the incumbent coalition government for its "political victimisation" of his party leaders and allies. He said that police entered the homes of PTI workers in Multan and were tasked with such threatening tactics. </p> <p>The movement was announced in the wake of sedition cases filed against PTI leaders including Fawad Chaudhry, Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gil. On February 4, Khan had urged his party workers to prepare for movement across Pakistan. </p>Key Updates
22 Feb 2023, 2:57 PM (IST)
As the nationwide campaign by the PTI has started, Imran Khan on Wednesday urged his supporters to fill up the prisons and shatter the idols of fear. In the first phase of the movement, at least 200 PTI third-tier leaders and supporters are expected to give court arrest today in Lahore, a report by news agency PTI said.
22 Feb 2023, 12:15 PM (IST)
PTI chairperson Imran Khan on Wednesday listed two main goals for starting the Jail Bharo Tehreek movement.
Taking to Twitter, Khan said the first goal of the movement is that it is a peaceful and non-violent protest against the encroachment on the fundamental rights available to Pakistan's citizens under the Constitution.
"Two, it is against the economic meltdown brought on by a cabal of crooks who have money laundered billions in looted wealth & gotten NROs for themselves while crushing the ppl, esp the poor & middle class, under the burden of spiraling inflation & rising unemployment," Khan added.