PTI supports MWM’s call for nationwide protests tomorrow after Islamabad blast

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday announced its support for a national day of mourning and protest called by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) following a deadly attack in Islamabad.

At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber targeted Imambargah Khadijah al Kubra during Friday prayers. The blast occurred as worshipers had gathered for Jumma prayers, with explosions and gunshots reported at the scene.

It was the deadliest attack in Islamabad in more than a decade and the deadliest nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.

Speaking to the media today, MWM leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas condemned the deadly attack in Islamabad and announced a day of nationwide mourning and protests, accusing the government of failing to protect its citizens.

“An attack took place yesterday at a mosque while a man was prostrating himself. Innocents were martyred and among the students killed in the blast. This tragedy happened in the federal capital, not in an isolated area. Tomorrow we will observe a black day and a day of mourning, with a nationwide protest planned for next Friday,” he said.

Abbas stressed that the incident in Islamabad raised serious concerns over the security arrangements in the capital. He rejected what he described as attempts to politicize the tragedy.

“We don’t want to play the blame game. In the world, if a government cannot ensure the protection of its population, it resigns,” he said.

Abbas said celebrations took place around their bodies and that in such incidents it was always the poor who were killed. He added that since he came of age, he had seen bodies fall. He said they were told operations were taking place, but it was unclear where those operations were taking place.

Learn more: Four Daesh mastermind facilitators detained in Islamabad suicide attack

He alleged that some elements were seeking to inflame sectarian tensions, but insisted the issue was not sectarian in nature.

“They want Shiites and Sunnis to fight each other. There is no problem between Shiites and Sunnis here. Those in power seem blind to reality. Until power is transferred to the people, conditions in this country will not improve,” he said.

In a statement issued on X today, the PTI said it expressed its “full support” for the MWM’s call for mourning and nationwide protests planned for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, PTI general secretary Salman Akram Raja said February 8, 2024 marked the establishment of “a system based on injustice and lies”.

He added that the demonstration aimed to express his dissatisfaction with those in power.

“Tomorrow we will express our dissociation from these thieves. We will oppose all those who oppose the state. A system of oppression cannot last. Our voice has been stolen,” he said.

Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) leader and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai said the current situation should not be used to stir up public emotion.

He criticized Pakistan’s involvement in regional conflicts, saying the country had been drawn into wars that were not its own.

“We have surrendered Pakistan to other countries’ wars. During the Afghan conflict, people poured in from neighboring areas. More than 1,300 social activists were martyred in the tribal areas,” he said.

Achakzai said Pakistan was in trouble because of its own actions. He said the country’s 250 million citizens had been harassed at gunpoint. He stressed that they were not against any agency or institution, but the Constitution, which had held the nation together, was being torn apart.

“Tomorrow, the people of Pakistan will express their frustration by closing their shops. I appeal to Shehbaz Sharif to also join in this mourning. We appeal to the public not to be emotional,” he said.

Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said more than 3,000 Pakistanis had fallen victim to terrorism in the past week, calling the government a “complete failure.”

“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure public safety. Instead of breaking political parties, the government should focus on its job,” he said.

Qaiser rejected sectarian divisions and called for constitutional supremacy.

“In this country, Shiites and Sunnis are brothers. There must be a constitutional and legal regime in this country. Tomorrow we will hold our demonstration,” he said.

Also read: Bomber identified as Peshawar resident “trained in Afghanistan”

TTAP Vice President Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the country was facing daily security incidents and increasing political polarization.

“There isn’t a day that goes by without an incident happening. There are important questions that need to be answered,” he said.

He criticized what he described as a culture of issuing religious decrees against opponents and called for unity.

“It has become a norm to issue decrees against anyone. We must end this division. All must unite on these issues. If we do not unite, we will witness such days again and again,” he said.

Khokhar said that although it was a “Form 47 government”, it was necessary to adopt a unanimous policy and convene an all-party conference to develop a common strategy to eliminate terrorism.

“International conspiracies are turning towards the country. Pakistan is facing challenges in economy and law and order. Incidents happen in Balochistan and the next day a new minister takes oath,” he said.

Khokhar urged citizens to mark the day peacefully. “Tomorrow, people should stay at home and observe a day of mourning,” he said.