Opposition alliance announces protest rallies

The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahafuz Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), has announced a nationwide protest on July 26 (Friday), demanding the release of all political prisoners, including PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, and the restoration of what it terms a “stolen mandate.”

In a meeting presided over by senior politician and movement leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the TTAP passed a unanimous resolution calling for the immediate release of political prisoners and the establishment of an empowered judicial commission to investigate the firing on peaceful marchers in Bannu.

The alliance also demanded the resignation of the ruling party and the announcement of fresh elections. They lauded the recent Supreme Court decision on reserved seats.

Attendees included PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI Secretary General and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, Leader of Opposition in the Senate Senator Shibli Faraz, PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hassan, Chairman Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen Allama Nasir Abbas, and JUI Shirani Group leader Syed Qasim Agha.

The participants discussed the current political and economic climate and outlined future actions. They unanimously demanded the release of Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other PTI leaders and workers, labelling the charges against them as unjust.

The resolution called for an independent judicial commission, led by a serving judge, to investigate the violence at the Bannu Aman March. They criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IG and Chief Secretary for failing to maintain peace, demanding their immediate dismissal.

They also urged the government to reverse recent hikes in electricity and gas prices, blaming the unelected government for the country’s economic woes and high inflation.

The resolution stressed the dire situation faced by ordinary citizens due to flawed government policies, resulting in widespread hardship. It called for urgent measures to curb inflation and reduce fuel prices.

The opposition alliance praised the SC’s decision on reserved seats as a triumph for the constitution and the rule of law. They called for the resignation of the current government and immediate new elections.

The TTAP announced a nationwide protest on July 26 after Friday prayers to press for their demands.