The opposition alliance evokes political and security crises; seeks dialogue on Balochistan and AJK
ISLAMABAD:
The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP), on Friday announced a nationwide protest movement starting August 5, with rallies and a public awareness campaign against the “deteriorating political and security situation” across the country.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Leader of Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, TTAP Vice President Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other leaders of the alliance.
The joint press conference took place following a consultative meeting held the day before. They said the campaign would begin on August 5, marking the third anniversary of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s conviction. The schedule of protests would be announced after further consultations with the constituent parties.
The alliance demanded immediate resignation of the Balochistan government, a joint session of Parliament to discuss terrorism and the situation in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and postponement of the upcoming AJK elections pending dialogue among stakeholders.
He also demanded the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and other political prisoners. He also expressed concern over the trial of Aleema Khan, sister of Imran, which he termed as political victimization of Khan’s family.
The alliance has prioritized the issue of Balochistan, following the recent violence in the province and will not ignore the situation either in Balochistan or AJK, Achakzai, who is also the TTAP chief, said at the press conference.
Referring to the recent attack near Ziarat, Achakzai claimed that police personnel were deployed with insufficient ammunition and no officials were held accountable following the incident.
Khokhar said the alliance finalized its demands after extensive consultations, arguing that immediate political commitment was needed to prevent further deterioration in Balochistan and AJK. He said the alliance supported the postponement of AJK elections and urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Speaking to The Express PK Press Club, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Syed said PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan’s lawyer had proposed during Thursday’s consultative meeting that the opposition launch a nationwide protest campaign on August 5, marking the third anniversary of Imran Khan’s conviction.
He added that the alliance was considering holding either multiple events across the country or one major gathering, with the final schedule to be decided after further consultations.
Responding to a question whether the TTAP was planning any action before August 5, Hussain said Achakzai and other leaders of the alliance would visit Balochistan on Sunday (tomorrow) to meet the protesters and assess the situation on the ground. He said the alliance would later attempt to visit AJK after an earlier attempt by its leaders to visit there was halted.
PTI information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told The Express PK Press Club that the party was “exactly on the same page” with TTAP regarding the protest movement and its demands.
Akram was also asked about an apparent contradiction, since the TTAP is calling for the postponement of the AJK elections, when the poll is scheduled for July 27, before the start of the national movement on August 5, and what the PTI/TTAP plans to do if the elections go ahead as planned.
“We have boycotted the elections. We are not participating in these elections,” Waqas Akram responded, saying TTAP would decide its next course of action if the elections go ahead as planned.
