August 5 drive planned for Imran release

Achakzai urges collective action

QUETTA:

National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Tuesday announced a nationwide political movement from August 5 to demand the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, Achakzai also unveiled plans for a three-day Pashtun jirga from August 29 to 31 to discuss issues affecting Pashtun-majority areas, including the division of districts and alleged land allotments.

Achakzai said the movement would be launched across Pakistan on August 5 – the day Imran completes three years in prison. He urged people to participate, saying the country's political situation required collective action.

Speaking about the proposed Pashtun jirga in Quetta, the opposition leader said the gathering would discuss issues affecting Pashtun-majority areas. He also announced plans to convene a broader Pashtun jirga in September or October.

He expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan and the wider Pashtun belt, saying people were facing growing insecurity. He alleged that incidents of violence, attacks on vehicles and the killing of workers had increased.

Achakzai also alleged that drivers were being subjected to heavy extortion on national highways and criticised high airfares, saying the situation was causing difficulties for ordinary citizens. He also condemned violence against the Kashmiri people.