The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP) has announced a nationwide protest movement starting August 5, featuring rallies and a public outreach campaign against what it terms a deteriorating political and security situation across the country. The announcement came during a joint press conference by 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, following a consultative meeting held a day earlier.
Key Demands of the Alliance
The alliance has put forward several key demands, including the immediate resignation of the Balochistan government, a joint session of parliament to discuss terrorism and the situations in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and postponement of the upcoming AJK elections pending dialogue among stakeholders. They also demanded the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other political prisoners. Additionally, the alliance expressed concern over the trial of Aleema Khan, Imran’s sister, describing it as political victimization of Khan's family.
Focus on Balochistan and AJK
Achakzai, who also heads TTAP, emphasized that the alliance has prioritized the Balochistan issue following recent violence in the province and will not ignore the situations in either Balochistan or AJK. Referring to a recent attack near Ziarat, Achakzai alleged that police personnel had been deployed with inadequate ammunition and that no official had been held accountable. Khokhar said the alliance finalized its demands after extensive consultations, arguing that immediate political engagement was needed to prevent further deterioration in Balochistan and AJK. He reiterated the alliance's support for postponing AJK elections and urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Protest Schedule and Coordination
TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Syed told The Express Tribune that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan proposed during Thursday's meeting that the opposition launch a nationwide protest campaign on August 5, marking three years since Imran Khan's conviction. The alliance is considering holding either multiple events across the country or one major gathering, with the final schedule to be decided after further consultations. Hussain added that Achakzai and other alliance leaders would visit Balochistan on Sunday to meet protesters and assess the ground situation, and the alliance would subsequently attempt to visit AJK after an earlier effort was stopped.
PTI's Alignment with TTAP
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told The Express Tribune that the party is exactly on the same page as TTAP regarding the protest movement and its demands. When asked about the apparent contradiction of TTAP calling for postponement of AJK elections while polling is scheduled for July 27—before the August 5 start of protests—Akram replied that PTI has boycotted the elections and is not taking part. He said TTAP would decide its next course of action if the elections proceed as scheduled.
