PTI Alleges Crackdown on Women Activists, Releases Poster Naming Dozens of “Missing” Supporters

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has intensified its criticism of the Pakistani government and state institutions by releasing a powerful poster campaign highlighting what the party describes as the “abduction,” “illegal detention,” and “political persecution” of dozens of women associated with the party.

The poster, titled “A Sign of PTI Women’s Courage and Resistance,” features photographs and names of female politicians, activists, social media supporters, and party workers whom PTI claims have been targeted during the ongoing political crackdown against supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. According to PTI leaders, these women represent “the face of democratic resistance” in Pakistan and are allegedly being punished for speaking out against the government and supporting the party’s political movement.

Among the prominent names included in the poster are Bushra Bibi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Aliya Hamza, Ayesha Ali Bhutta, Tayyaba Raja, Sanam Javed, Iffat Siddique, Khadijah Shah, Sajida Sajid, Irum Akmal, Ayesha Masood, Maham Masood, Dr. Saboohi, Farah Khan Tanoli, Farhat Farooq, Sadaf Nadeem, Saniya Sajid, Shumaila Sattar, Faiza Azmat, Fehmida Begum, Khalida Hameed, Aneela Munir, Maria Khan Baloch, Razia Sultana, Noreen Butt, Sumaira Imran, Rubi Niazi, Sana Asif, Rubina Perwaiz, Anila Malik, Farah Nisar, Fozia Malik, Rabia Sultan, Rubina Jameel, Ayesha Saleem Khan, Rubina Rizwan, Rohina Khan, Afshan Tariq, Farzana Sarwar, Aroona Naeem, Sadia Naz, Dr. Sarmad Malik, Aashima Shuja, Sumaiya Asad, Samiya Shafi, Sadia Usman, Sadaf Jabeen, Ruba Haider, Firdous Rai, and Falak Javed.

Additional names listed on the poster include Mariam Mazari, Huma Saeed, Khilat Aziz, Khatija Nadeem, Mumtaz Bibi, Aliya Khiswand, Shaheen Riaz, Shabnum Jahangir, Sonia Nasir, Farrukhunda, Tasneem Akhtar, Shabnano, Begum Zareen Rehman, Riffat Shaheen, Aliya Shehzad, and Sonia.

PTI alleges that many of these women have faced midnight raids, forced disappearances, arrests, intimidation, travel restrictions, and harassment due to their political affiliations and online activism. Party representatives claim that women are being specifically targeted to weaken public resistance and silence dissenting voices.

The release of the poster has sparked strong reactions across social media, with PTI supporters calling the campaign evidence of increasing suppression of political freedoms in Pakistan. Human rights activists and overseas Pakistanis have also raised concerns over the treatment of female political workers and the shrinking space for democratic expression.

However, the Pakistani government and security institutions have consistently denied allegations of enforced disappearances or politically motivated abductions. Officials maintain that arrests and detentions are conducted according to the law and under judicial procedures, particularly in cases related to protests, public unrest, or alleged violations of national security laws.

Political analysts say the poster reflects the growing role of women in Pakistan’s political resistance movements. Despite arrests and pressure, many female PTI supporters continue to remain visible and vocal, turning the issue into a broader debate about democracy, civil liberties, and the role of women in political activism in Pakistan.