Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has so far not officially announced any solid strategy for August 5 protest demonstrations.
Its leaders said PTI will hold protest under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) . TTAP is an alliance of different opposition parties. The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai is heading the alliance.
The PTI social media pages are airing messages of party leaders. In messages, they vowed to lead the protest, appealing to people to ensure participation. Held under #FreeImranKhan slogan, August 5 protests will be held in every district of Pakistan, said Asad Qaiser , secretary general of TTAP and central leader of PTI
Who Will Lead Aug 5 Protests?
PTI Balochistan chapter president Dawood Shah Kakar, Punjab president Aliya Hamza Malik , Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh and KP president Junaid Akbar have planned strategies for the protest. Islamabad administration has refused the PTI to allow hold worker convention. The party leader Aamir Mughal said they will adopt guerrilla strategy to block roads and share Imran Khan message. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur will head the rally in Peshawar. Many believe it will become the biggest show of strength.
Some reports say Sahibzada Hamid Raza will lead protest in Faisalabad. He is heading the Sunni Ittehad Council and is an ally of the PTI. The central leadership has directed the party’s MNAs, MPAs and Senators to lead the protest demonstrations on Tuesday.
Imran Khan’s sons Kasim Khan and Suleiman Khan are unlikely to attend the protest. Imran’s sister Aleema Khan says the government has not issued visas to them.
Government Reaction:
On the other side, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi. It banned all public gatherings, motorcycle pillion riding, and rallies from August 4 to August 10. The administration cited security concerns ahead of the PTI August 5 protest.
Many believe the government will launch police crackdown against the protesters. PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, however, emphasised the protest will be peaceful. Tuesday’s event will determine whether the establishment has shifted its stance on PTI or is still unready to give it space. PTI is considered most popular party in Pakistan and some say its leader’s Imran Khan popularity is more than 75 percent.
