TTAP criticizes government policies, demands elections and medical care for Imran Khan

The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday demanded immediate free and fair elections, release of political prisoners and proper medical treatment for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside PTI leader and former provincial minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar criticized the government’s governance and economic policies, warning that pursuing what he called a “hybrid regime” would amount to “playing with the foundations of the country”. He added that these demands would not create a crisis but would help resolve the current one.

Khokhar said the “Form 47 government” had adopted a pattern of not holding itself accountable. “The country cannot continue to function this way. People will become even more alienated, and we will continue to expose their failures and show their true colors to the people of Pakistan,” he said.

“When a system of governance fails to meet the expectations of the people, fails to deliver economic prosperity, fails internationally and fails to maintain law and order, the people of Pakistan grow tired of it. To continue in this manner is tantamount to playing with the foundations of the country,” he added.

Condemning terrorism, including incidents at Islamabad’s Khadija-tul-Kubra Mosque and attacks in Balochistan, Khokhar said effective counter-terrorism required clear thinking. Referring to the National Action Plan developed after the APS tragedy, he indicated that it had not been properly implemented.

He further stressed the importance of political dialogue, saying that the genuine grievances of the people must be addressed, and criticized the government for its failure to reach political settlements and lack of clarity in tackling militancy.

He also raised concerns about regional security, warning that “clouds of war loom over neighboring Iran.” Referring to the deployment of two US carrier strike groups, he said: “The signs are absolutely clear on what is going to happen in our region and in our brotherly country,” alleging attempts at regime change.

Khokhar criticized Pakistan’s participation in US President Donald Trump’s “Peace Council”, saying the country joined without debate or consultation. “China has stayed away from this Peace Council, the UK has stayed away, France has stayed away, and yet we went there to praise and introduce ourselves, and no one knows, no one knows,” he said.

He also questioned a deal involving the Roosevelt Hotel, owned by Pakistan International Airlines, asking under what conditions it was handed over and who benefited from it.

Meanwhile, Jhagra said foreign direct investment declined this year compared to last year, with around $800 million invested over seven months, while total investment as a percentage of GDP stood at just 13 per cent. He said neither foreign nor local investors were investing in Pakistan’s economy.

He added that poverty had increased from 22% in 2018-19 to 29% in 2024-25, unemployment was at its highest level in 21 years and average household income had fallen by 10% compared to 2015-16.

He further criticized the government’s poverty line of Rs 282 per day as unrealistic, saying that according to the World Bank’s $4 per day threshold, 130 million Pakistanis were living below the poverty line.

Jhagra also criticized the Punjab government for purchasing a luxury Gulfstream jet for Rs 10 billion, calling it unjustifiable in a country where 130 million people live below the poverty line. He alleged that the government did not respond to questions on the purchase of the plane, the extrajudicial killings carried out by the CCD, the expenses of top officials or the Rs40 billion spent on a firewall.

He reiterated that in a country where 130 million people live below the poverty line, senior officials were provided with official vehicles worth Rs110 million and fuel costs of Rs700,000 per month.

Meanwhile, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai spoke about Imran Khan’s eye treatment.

“The problem regarding Imran Khan’s eye was treated with an injection administered on the 25th [January]and the second class is due on the 25th [February]he said, adding that TTAP and Imran’s family had demanded that he be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for further treatment.

He said Imran’s personal doctors, Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Faisal Sultan, should be present during the treatment, along with a family member, “to ensure that no critical situation arises again as had happened before”.