Opposition calls nationwide protest on 26th

ISLAMABAD: The grand opposition alliance announced countrywide protests on July 26 (after Friday prayer) and demanded immediate reduction in the ‘rapidly increasing inflation and withdrawal of cruel increase in electricity and gas prices’.

The nationwide protests, the meeting noted, aim at getting released the PTI founder Imran Khan, his spouse and other political prisoners and for return of the ‘snatched’ mandate to PTI.

The opposition under the tag of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan had an emergency huddle here, which was presided over by its Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai. In the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on the overall political and economic situation of the country, including the future political plan. A resolution was also passed unanimously.

The meeting noted that the nation is paying the price for the incompetence of the unelected government in the form of a painful increase in the prices of food items including electricity and gas. It was observed through a resolution that the life of the common man has become miserable, and he is forced to sell his household goods to meet the necessary daily expenses. “The government should take measures to provide immediate relief to the people by reducing inflation and the price increases should be withdrawn immediately,” the resolution reads.

The meeting welcomed the recent decision of the Supreme Court regarding the reserved seats and termed it a victory for the Constitution and the law. “We appreciate the efforts of the judiciary for the supremacy of the Constitution and law, and the restoration of democracy,” the resolution said.

The meeting also demanded immediate fresh elections in the country, asking the government to immediately resign to pave the way for new general elections.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Secretary General and Leader of Opposition National Assembly Omar Ayub, former Speaker NA Asad Qaiser, Leader of Opposition Senate Senator Shibli Faraz and Central Secretary Information Raoof Hasan participated in the meeting.

Moreover, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen Allama Nasir Abbas and JUI Shirani Group Chairman Syed Qasim Agha were also present in the meeting.

The meeting unanimously demanded immediate release Imran Khan and other prisoners. The resolution said all the leaders and workers of PTI, including Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi should be immediately released. “The cases filed against Imran and other party officials are a violation of laws and principles of justice,” the resolution said.

The meeting demanded investigation into the tense situation arising in Bannu Aman March and called for constitution of an independent judicial commission to immediately investigate the loss of life as a result of firing during the Bannu March.

It demanded a judicial commission should be established under the chairmanship of a serving judge for a transparent investigation of violent incidents in Bannu, which should be free from any external pressure.

The meeting asked for immediate dismissal of chief secretary and IGP of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as they have miserably failed to establish peace in the province.