ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced nationwide protests on Friday against rising inflation, higher fuel prices, alleged lawlessness, and the continued detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser, while speaking to the media outside Parliament House along with other party leaders, said the parliamentary party had been taken into confidence regarding the party’s future course of action and had fully endorsed the alliance’s four-point agenda.
“We have decided to hold protests across the country this Friday over inflation, the massive increase in petroleum prices, severe loadshedding, particularly the law and order situation, and the inhumane treatment being meted out to Imran Khan, including the denial of his civil rights and the government’s negligence regarding his health,” he said.
Qaiser termed the lack of quorum in parliament as a sign of the government’s non-serious attitude and warned that if the situation persisted, “we will not allow this parliament to function”.
He claimed that the government was planning to impose Rs17 trillion in new taxes in the upcoming budget, which would trigger a new wave of inflation.
“At present, all tax collection is being carried out on salaried employees, and you can see that farmers, labourers and the salaried class have been affected by the economic policies, while the middle class has virtually been eliminated,” he said, blaming the government’s failed policies for the situation.
Expressing concern over the state of justice in the country, the former National Assembly speaker said severe human rights violations were taking place and alleged that the treatment being meted out to PTI leaders in jail, including Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, amounted to serious human rights abuses.
“We believe Imran Khan should get justice, and if all the cases against him are heard on merit, Imran Khan will not remain in jail for even a single day, nor will his wife or the party leadership,” he said.
The PTI leader termed the government’s policies a complete failure and expressed concern about the country’s security situation, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“In my province, we are facing a serious challenge of terrorism, and that terrorism is the result of an irresponsible foreign policy, due to which terrorism is increasing and unemployment is rising because our businesses are heavily linked with trade with Afghanistan,” he said.
He demanded an end to what he termed the unfair treatment of Imran Khan, saying he should be provided justice, his cases should be heard on merit, and, according to jail rules, he should be shifted to a hospital.
Qaiser also demanded that the government withdraw the petroleum levy and end severe loadshedding across the country, particularly in K-P.
Earlier, in a post shared on X by TTAP Chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the decision was taken at an alliance leadership summit. TTAP said the demonstrations would also demand the immediate transfer of Imran to the hospital and the release of political prisoners.
Speaking separately outside NA on Tuesday, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party and the wider public were deeply concerned about the health of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. He said the parliamentary party had unanimously endorsed decisions taken at the previous day’s TTAP leadership summit.
Qaiser also said nationwide protests would be held on Friday against inflation, rising petroleum prices, and concerns over the health of Imran and Bushra Bibi. The demonstrations would also demand their transfer to hospital, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of fundamental rights, he reiterated.
“If Imran Khan’s cases are heard on merit, he would not remain in jail for even a moment,” he said, adding that terrorism had increased due to government policies and that ties with Afghanistan had been affected.
He also demanded the immediate transfer of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to hospital in line with jail rules, permission for meetings, withdrawal of the petroleum levy, an end to electricity and gas load-shedding, and the lifting of restrictions on wheat and flour transportation.
Qaiser further warned that if opposition members were not allowed to function freely in Parliament, they would not allow the assembly proceedings to continue smoothly. Criticising the government’s economic policies, he added that the upcoming budget would be “anti-poor” due to expected new taxes.
