ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for nationwide protests on August 5 to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and to address the plight of inflation-affected citizens.
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister, has been imprisoned for over a year following his arrest in Lahore on August 5, 2023. He was sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly selling state gifts illegally.
The announcement was made by PTI leader Asad Qaiser during a press conference in Islamabad, which was also attended by the party’s Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan and other members. Qaiser emphasized that the protests would mark the anniversary of Imran Khan’s arrest in the Toshakhana case.
He flayed the ongoing crackdown against PTI lawmakers and social media activists, which he described as a “vicious witch-hunt.”
Qaiser called on the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the situation, following the court’s July 12 ruling that allowed PTI to receive seats in the assemblies reserved for women and minorities. The Supreme Court directed PTI to submit a list of eligible candidates for these seats to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) within 15 days. However, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) challenged the decision by filing a review appeal.
Qaiser also alleged that baseless cases were being filed against PTI leaders and activists, and claimed that 41 PTI MNAs were being pressured to leave the party. He warned that the parliament’s status would be undermined if parliamentarians were treated disrespectfully. He extended an invitation to all political parties to join PTI in opposing what he called a “fake and mandate-less government.”
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PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan echoed these sentiments, accusing the incumbent government of mistreating PTI lawmakers and making party members disappear. He condemned the alleged fascism against PTI leaders, including cases against Sheikh Waqas and his associates. Omar Ayub stated that PTI would hold a key session to discuss future strategies, including the possibility of a sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
He reiterated that the only solution to the country’s issues was a fresh election, suggesting that the current government’s mandate was illegitimate and insufficient to address Pakistan’s challenges. The upcoming protests and PTI’s call for a new election underscore the ongoing political tensions in Pakistan as the party mobilizes its supporters against the current administration.
