PTI’s Election Protest Strike Sees Partial Shutdown and Police Arrests Across Pakistan
February 9, 2026
On Sunday, opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), led by PTI, called a strike to protest alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections. Markets stayed open in Lahore and Islamabad. Peshawar saw a partial shutdown, while Quetta faced a complete strike. Police blocked roads in Karachi to stop protests. A planned torch rally near Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque was stopped due to road closures and arrests of more than 24 workers, including eight women. TTAP leaders like Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Amir Mughal said this is just the start of their movement. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI held rallies in several districts despite mixed market responses. In Karachi, markets were mostly closed due to Sunday being a holiday, not because of the strike. Quetta witnessed full market shutdowns and internet suspension, with clashes reported between police and protesters. PTI claimed dozens of workers were detained during protests. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the strike was a peaceful way to show public anger at the system. Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi praised the strike’s success. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz dismissed the strike's impact in Punjab, claiming "ZERO protest/strike/shutter down" there.
Read More at Dawn →
Tags:
Pti
Strike
Pakistan Elections 2024
Protest
Roadblocks
Arrests
Comments