PTI backs MWM call for nationwide protests tomorrow after Islamabad blast

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday announced its support for a national day of mourning and protests called by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) following the deadly bomb blast in Islamabad.

At least 32 people were killed and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber attacked Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra during Friday prayers. The blast occurred as worshipers had gathered for jumma prayers, and explosions and gunshots were reported at the scene.

The assault marked the deadliest attack in Islamabad in more than a decade and the deadliest nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.

Speaking to the media today, MWM chief and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas condemned the deadly Islamabad bomb attack and announced a day of mourning and protests across the country, accusing the government of failing to protect its citizens.

“Yesterday an attack was carried out on a mosque while a man was prostrate. Innocent people were martyred and university students were among those killed in the explosion. This tragedy occurred in the federal capital, not in a remote area. Tomorrow we will observe a black day and a day of mourning, with a nationwide protest planned for next Friday,” he said.

Abbas highlighted that the incident that took place in Islamabad raised serious concerns about the security arrangements in the capital. He rejected what he described as attempts to politicize the tragedy.

“We don’t want to play a blame game. In the world, if a government cannot provide protection to its people, it resigns,” he said.

Abbas said celebrations were held over their bodies and in such incidents, it was always the poor who died. He added that since he came of age he had seen bodies fall. He said they were told operations were underway, but it was unclear where those operations were taking place.

Read more: Four Daesh facilitators and mastermind arrested in Islamabad suicide attack

He alleged that certain elements were seeking to incite sectarian tensions, but insisted that the issue was not sectarian in nature.

“They want Shiites and Sunnis to fight each other. There is no Shiite-Sunni issue here. Those in power seem blind to reality. Until power is transferred to the people, conditions in this country will not improve,” he said.

In a statement issued today on Xth day, the PTI said it expressed “full support” for the call for mourning and nationwide demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow by the MWM.

Meanwhile, PTI general secretary Salman Akram Raja said that February 8, 2024 marked the establishment of “a system built on injustice and falsehood”.

He added that the protest was aimed at expressing discontent with those in power.

“Tomorrow we will express our dissociation from these thieves. We will oppose all those who oppose the State. A system of oppression cannot last. They have stolen our voice,” he said.

Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) chief and leader of opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai said the current situation should not be used to incite public emotion.

He criticized Pakistan’s involvement in regional conflicts, saying the country had been dragged into wars that were not its own.

“We handed over Pakistan to others’ wars. During the Afghan conflict, people came from neighboring regions. More than 1,300 social activists were martyred in the tribal areas,” he said.

Achakzai said Pakistan was in difficulties because of its own actions. He said the country’s 250 million citizens had been harassed at gunpoint. He stressed that they were not against any agency or institution, but that the Constitution, which had held the nation together, was being torn apart.

“Tomorrow, the people of Pakistan will express their frustration by closing shops. I appeal to Shehbaz Sharif to also join this mourning. We appeal to the public: do not get emotional,” he said.

Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said more than 3,000 Pakistanis had been victims of terrorism last week and described the government as having “completely failed”.

“It is the responsibility of the government to provide security to the public. Instead of breaking with political parties, the government should focus on its work,” he said.

Qaiser rejected sectarian divisions and called for constitutional supremacy.

“In this country, Shias and Sunnis are brothers. There must be a constitutional and legal regime in this country. Tomorrow we will hold our protest,” he said.

Also read: Bomber identified as ‘Afghanistan-trained’ Peshawar resident

TTAP Vice President Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the country faces daily security incidents and deepening political polarization.

“There is not a single day when an incident does not occur. There are important questions that need to be answered,” he said.

He criticized what he described as a culture of issuing religious decrees against opponents and urged unity.

“It has become a norm to issue edicts against anyone. We must end this division. We must all unite on these issues. If we do not unite, we will witness such days repeatedly,” he said.

Khokhar said even if it was a “Form 47 government”, there was a need to adopt a unanimous policy and convene an all-party conference to develop a joint strategy to eliminate terrorism.

“International conspiracies are setting their eyes on the country. Pakistan is facing economic and law and order challenges. Incidents take place in Balochistan and the next day a new minister takes oath,” he said.

Khokhar urged citizens to celebrate the day peacefully. “Tomorrow people should stay home and observe a day of mourning,” he said.