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May 22, 2026
TTAP, PTI Announce Friday Protests against Inflation and Treatment of ImranIslamabad: The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced nationwide protests on Friday against rising inflation, higher fuel prices, alleged lawlessness and the continued detention of ex-premier Imran Khan.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser, while speaking to the media outside Parliament House along with other party leaders, said the parliamentary party had been taken into confidence regarding the party’s future course of action and had fully endorsed the alliance’s four-point agenda.
“We have decided to hold protests across the country this Friday over inflation, the massive increase in petroleum prices, severe loadshedding, particularly the law-and-order situation, and the inhumane treatment being meted out to Imran Khan, including the denial of his civil rights and the government’s negligence regarding his health,” he said.
Qaiser termed the lack of quorum in parliament as a sign of the government’s non-serious attitude and warned that if the situation persisted, “we will not allow this parliament to function”.
He claimed that the government was planning to impose Rs17 trillion in new taxes in the upcoming budget, which would trigger a new wave of inflation.
“At present, all tax collection is being carried out on salaried employees, and you can see that farmers, laborers and the salaried class have been affected by the economic policies, while the middle class has virtually been eliminated,” he said, blaming the government’s failed policies for the situation.
Expressing concern over the state of justice in the country, the former National Assembly speaker said severe human rights violations were taking place and alleged that the treatment being meted out to PTI leaders in jail, including Imran and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, amounted to serious human rights abuses.
“We believe Imran Khan should get justice, and if all the cases against him are heard on merit, Imran Khan will not remain in jail for even a single day, nor will his wife or the party leadership,” he said.
The PTI leader termed the government’s policies as a complete failure and expressed concern about the country's security situation, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“In my province, we are facing a serious challenge of terrorism, and that terrorism is the result of an irresponsible foreign policy, due to which terrorism is increasing, and unemployment is rising because our businesses are heavily linked with trade with Afghanistan,” he said.
He demanded an end to what he termed as the unfair treatment of Imran, saying he should be provided justice, his cases should be heard on merit, and, according to jail rules, he should be shifted to a hospital.
Qaiser also demanded that the government withdraw the petroleum levy and end severe loadshedding across the country, particularly in K-P.
TTAP chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai earlier said in a post on X that the decision for the protests was taken at an alliance leadership summit.
He said the demonstrations would also demand the immediate transfer of Imran to a hospital and the release of political prisoners. – The Express Tribune
Courtesy The Express Tribune
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