Opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday announced it will stage nationwide protests from Aug. 5 through rallies and a public outreach campaign over the country’s “deteriorating political and security situation.”
Addressing a joint press conference, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Opposition Leader in Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other alliance leaders noted Aug. 5, marked three years of PTI founder Imran Khan’s conviction. They said the exact schedule of protests would be unveiled after consultations with the TTAP’s constituent parties.
During the press talk, the TTAP leaders demanded the immediate resignation of the Balochistan government; a joint session of Parliament to discuss terrorism and unrest in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir; and postponement of the upcoming AJK elections pending dialogue with protesters. They also demanded the immediate release of Khan, his wife Bushra, and other political prisoners, while expressing concern over the ongoing trial of Khan’s sister Aleema, claiming this was “political victimization” of the former premier’s family.
Achakzai said the alliance had decided to prioritize the Balochistan issue in light of a surge of terrorism in the province. Referring to last week’s attack near Ziarat, he alleged police personnel were deployed with inadequate ammunition and questioned why no official was held accountable.
Khokhar maintained immediate political engagement was necessary to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Balochistan and AJK. He said the alliance supported postponing the AJK elections and urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue.