Iqrar-ul-Hassan Says Independence Day Can Be Truly Celebrated Only Without Political Prisoners
LAHORE:Awaam Raj Tehreek leader Iqrar-ul-Hassan has said that Independence Day can only be celebrated in its true spirit when there are no political prisoners in the country.
In a message on X, Iqrar said the day could be observed in its true spirit only when no one was imprisoned for political reasons, the former prime minister was provided his constitutional and legal rights to medical treatment and meetings, and two leaders of a major religious party were not mysteriously missing for the past 10 months.
He also called for freedom of expression and the right to protest and raise one’s voice.
“May we celebrate the next Independence Day with a genuine sense of being free,” he said, adding, “Pakistan Zindabad, Awaam Raj Paindabad.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, addressing an Independence Day ceremony, said Pakistanis were celebrating Independence Day at a time when political workers and PTI founder Imran Khan remained under restrictions.
He claimed that social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Facebook and Instagram, were facing restrictions, while women and PTI workers were also being subjected to curbs.
Marwat said that when citizens needed VPNs to access the internet and many people had to leave the country in search of employment, celebrating freedom raised serious questions.
Recalling Imran Khan’s message, he said Pakistan’s survival and independence were linked to achieving “real freedom.”
Marwat also said he would meet Imran Khan soon and hoped that all misunderstandings would be resolved.
He added that when Imran Khan remained detained, political workers and women faced restrictions, and PTI was confronted with political difficulties and curbs, celebrating Independence Day under such circumstances became a major question mark.
According to Marwat, Pakistan’s survival, development and stability were ultimately tied to the achievement of genuine freedom.
