Opposition alliance cites political and security crises; seeks dialogue on Balochistan and AJK
ISLAMABAD:
The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday announced a nationwide protest movement starting August 5 with rallies and a public outreach campaign on “the deteriorating political and security situation” across the country.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Leader of Opposition in Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Vice President of TTAP Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other leaders of the alliance.
The joint press conference followed a consultative meeting the previous day. They said the campaign will begin on August 5, which will mark three years since former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s conviction. The schedule of the protests will be announced after further consultations with the constituent parties.
The alliance demanded immediate resignation of the Balochistan government, a joint session of parliament to discuss terrorism and the situation in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and postponement of the upcoming AJK elections pending dialogue between the concerned parties.
He also demanded immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and other political prisoners. He also expressed concern over the trial of Aleema Khan, Imran’s sister, which he described as political victimization for Khan’s family.
The alliance has given priority to the issue of Balochistan, following the recent violence in the province and would not ignore the situations in either Balochistan or AJK, Achakzai, who is also the TTAP chief, said at the press conference.
Referring to the recent attack near Ziarat, Achakzai alleged that police personnel had been deployed with inadequate ammunition and that no officials had been held accountable following the incident.
Khokhar said the alliance had finalized its demands after extensive consultations, arguing that an immediate political commitment was needed to prevent further deterioration in Balochistan and AJK. He said the alliance supported the postponement of AJK elections and urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Speaking to The Express PAkGazette, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Syed said PTI chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan had proposed during Thursday’s consultative meeting that the opposition launch a nationwide protest campaign on August 5, three years since Imran Khan’s conviction.
He added that the alliance was considering holding multiple events across the country or one major meeting, and that the final schedule would be decided after further consultation.
Responding to a question on whether the TTAP was planning any action before August 5, Hussain said Achakzai and other leaders of the alliance would visit Balochistan on Sunday (tomorrow) to meet the protesters and assess the situation on the ground. He said the alliance would subsequently attempt to visit AJK after an earlier effort by its leaders to travel there was halted.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told The Express PAkGazette that the party was “exactly on the same page” as the TTAP regarding the protest movement and its demands.
Akram was also asked about an apparent contradiction, as the TTAP is calling for the postponement of the AJK elections, but the elections are scheduled for July 27, before the start of the national movement on August 5, and what the PTI/TTAP plans to do if the elections go ahead as planned.
“We have boycotted the elections. We are not going to participate in them,” Waqas Akram responded, stating that the TTAP would decide its next course of action if the elections went ahead as planned.
