By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s opposition alliance, the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), alongside the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has announced nationwide protests this coming Friday. The demonstrations aim to target the federal government over the ongoing imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, soaring inflation, and high utility prices. Opposition leaders have threatened to paralyze parliament if the political victimization of their members does not end immediately.
Massive Street Demonstrations Planned
The formal announcement was made during a joint press conference outside the Parliament House by senior PTI leaders, including former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser and parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak. This declaration followed a key parliamentary party meeting where members unanimously endorsed decisions made by the TTAP leadership.
The alliance, which includes prominent figures such as Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, confirmed that protest demonstrations will take place at all district headquarters across Pakistan. The leadership has invited citizens, workers, and traders from all walks of life to join the street movement.
Demands for Imran Khan’s Medical Transfer
A central driver of the upcoming protest is growing alarm over the health and safety of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, who are both currently incarcerated. Asad Qaiser stated that the entire nation is deeply concerned about their well-being.
The opposition is demanding their immediate transfer to a hospital in accordance with prison regulations, alongside the restoration of standard visitation rights for family members and political legal teams. Furthermore, the alliance is calling for the immediate release of all other political prisoners and detained activists, including Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, and Ali Wazir.
Backlash Over the Economy and ‘IMF Budget’
Beyond political grievances, the protest aims to capitalize on deep public anger surrounding the country’s ongoing economic crisis. Alliance members strongly criticized the government’s failure to manage soaring food prices, recent spikes in petroleum rates, and relentless 18-hour electricity load-shedding.
The opposition explicitly warned against the upcoming federal budget, labeling it an “anti-poor IMF budget” designed to pile further heavy taxes onto a struggling populace. They also criticized provincial trade barriers, specifically demanding the removal of restrictions on transporting wheat and flour out of Punjab, which they say has deeply harmed farmers and businesses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Characterizing the current administration as an incompetent government sitting in a “fake assembly” born out of rigged election results, opposition leaders warned that they will not allow the House to function smoothly if human rights violations continue.
