Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan announced plans for a “Jail Bharo Tehreek,” or court-arrest movement, in February 2023 during a period of political confrontation between PTI and the federal government.

Announcement of the Movement

Imran Khan announced the campaign on February 4, 2023, telling party workers and supporters to prepare to voluntarily present themselves for arrest.

PTI linked the movement to its demand for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to what the party described as political victimisation. Those descriptions represented PTI's position in the dispute.

PTI Leaders Responded

Senior PTI figures subsequently said they were prepared to court arrest when the party leadership issued the call.

Political Dispute

PTI leaders criticised the federal coalition over arrests of party figures and the timing of provincial elections. Government representatives disputed PTI's broader political accusations.

The Campaign

Imran Khan later announced that the court-arrest drive would begin in Lahore on February 22 before moving to other cities. Senior PTI leaders and supporters subsequently presented themselves for arrest.

This historical report attributes disputed political claims to the parties and individuals who made them.