TTAP, PTI announce Friday protests against inflation and Imran’s treatment

Demand withdrawal of the petroleum levy and end to prolonged loadshedding

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced nationwide protests on Friday against rising inflation, higher fuel prices, alleged lawlessness and the continued detention of ex-premier Imran Khan.

PTI leader Asad Qaiser, while speaking to the media outside Parliament House along with other party leaders, said the parliamentary party had been taken into confidence regarding the party’s future course of action and had fully endorsed the alliance’s four-point agenda.

“We have decided to hold protests across the country this Friday over inflation, the massive increase in petroleum prices, severe loadshedding, particularly the law and order situation, and the inhumane treatment being meted out to Imran Khan, including the denial of his civil rights and the government’s negligence regarding his health,” he said.

پوری جماعت اور پاکستان کے عوام کو بانی پی ٹی آئی عمران خان اور بشریٰ بی بی کی صحت کے حوالے سے شدید تشویش لاحق ہے، تحریک تحفظ آئین پاکستان کے کل کے سربراہی اجلاس کے فیصلوں کی پارلیمانی پارٹی نے متفقہ طور پر توثیق کی ہے، اور جمعہ کے روز ملک بھر میں مہنگائی، پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کی… pic.twitter.com/Okya3Qka8j

— Asad Qaiser (@AsadQaiserPTI) May 19, 2026

Qaiser termed the lack of quorum in parliament as a sign of the government’s non-serious attitude and warned that if the situation persisted, “we will not allow this parliament to function”.

He claimed that the government was planning to impose Rs17 trillion in new taxes in the upcoming budget, which would trigger a new wave of inflation.

“At present, all tax collection is being carried out on salaried employees, and you can see that farmers, labourers and the salaried class have been affected by the economic policies, while the middle class has virtually been eliminated,” he said, blaming the government’s failed policies for the situation.

Expressing concern over the state of justice in the country, the former National Assembly speaker said severe human rights violations were taking place and alleged that the treatment being meted out to PTI leaders in jail, including Imran and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, amounted to serious human rights abuses.

“We believe Imran Khan should get justice, and if all the cases against him are heard on merit, Imran Khan will not remain in jail for even a single day, nor will his wife or the party leadership,” he said.

The PTI leader termed the government’s policies a complete failure and expressed concern about the country's security situation, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“In my province, we are facing a serious challenge of terrorism, and that terrorism is the result of an irresponsible foreign policy, due to which terrorism is increasing and unemployment is rising because our businesses are heavily linked with trade with Afghanistan,” he said.

He demanded an end to what he termed the unfair treatment of Imran, saying he should be provided justice, his cases should be heard on merit, and, according to jail rules, he should be shifted to a hospital.

Qaiser also demanded that the government withdraw the petroleum levy and end severe loadshedding across the country, particularly in K-P.

TTAP chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai earlier said in a post on X that the decision for the protests was taken at an alliance leadership summit.

He said the demonstrations would also demand the immediate transfer of Imran to the hospital and the release of political prisoners.

تحریک تحفظ آئین پاکستان کے سربراہی اجلاس میں فیصلہ کیا گیا کہ جمعہ کے روز ملک بھر میں بدترین مہنگائی، پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی قیمتوں میں بے تحاشہ اضافے، ملک میں جاری لاقانونیت، عمران خان کو فوری ہسپتال منتقل کرنے اور سیاسی قیدیوں کی رہائی کے لیے ملک گیر احتجاج کیا جائے گا۔ pic.twitter.com/RcNId0UROy

— Mehmood Khan Achakzai (@MKAchakzaiPKMAP) May 19, 2026

Read More: Imran Khan 'loses vision' in one eye due to jail torture, alleges Salman Akram Raja

In February, it was revealed in a report prepared by Barrister Salman Safdar on the Supreme Court’s direction that Imran had informed officials that his right eye was functioning at only 15% capacity. Safdar submitted the report to a two-member bench.

As a result, the SC ordered that Imran be granted access to his personal physicians in Adiala Jail. Later, a medical board examining Imran reported an improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend shifting him to a hospital.

In late January, Imran was first taken to the hospital for a minor eye procedure. Five days later, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that doctors at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) had conducted an examination of his eyes and, after obtaining his written consent, carried out a minor medical procedure that lasted around 20 minutes.

Amid controversy surrounding the eye treatment, PIMS confirmed that Imran was administered an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to treat right central retinal vein occlusion.

In March, another medical check-up was conducted at Adiala, after which PIMS stated that Imran had shown significant improvement in his vision following his second dose of an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The third dose was subsequently administered on March 23.

Also Read: K-P unites against wheat, gas curbs

Bushra Bibi also underwent a medical examination at Adiala in March after complaining of pain in her right eye. She was reportedly examined by Dr Muhammad Arif Khan, head of the ophthalmology department at PIMS.

The medical report stated that she had been experiencing blurred vision and black spots in her right eye; she also reported seeing flashes in the dark and said she was suffering from headaches. The examination diagnosed Bushra Bibi with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in her right eye.

The report also identified myopia and astigmatism. After the diagnosis, Bushra Bibi was prescribed eye drops and medication, along with the use of glasses. She was reportedly recommended a follow-up medical check-up after four weeks.

The former first lady then underwent eye surgery on the evening of April 16.

Imran and Bushra Bibi remain incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. They were sentenced on December 20, 2025, to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which pertains to allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

Imran has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with protests on May 9, 2023.