“These tactics will not intimidate us; that is your misconception,” Asad Qaiser asserted, reinforcing the PTI’s dedication to engaging in both constitutional and legal battles against the current administration
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: In a bid to galvanize opposition against the current government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser announced plans to unite various political parties at both national and provincial levels for a series of nationwide protests. Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan is incarcerated, Qaiser characterized the government’s tactics as “fascist,” arguing that they falsely claim to champion democracy while infringing on citizens’ rights.
Qaiser expressed his discontent with the political landscape, particularly targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, alleging that she governs through oppressive means that undermine democratic principles. “These tactics will not intimidate us; that is your misconception,” he asserted, reinforcing the PTI’s dedication to engaging in both constitutional and legal battles against the current administration.
During a press conference in Lahore, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja escalated the party’s rhetoric by announcing a nationwide movement against the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment. He described the amendment, which focuses on judicial reforms, as a “direct attack on the Constitution of Pakistan and the judiciary.” The PTI plans to organize sit-ins and demonstrations across the country in response, following earlier protests that were postponed due to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Islamabad.
Raja also condemned the alleged mistreatment of Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for over a year, claiming that the conditions of his incarceration are inhumane—a claim that Adiala Jail authorities have denied. In discussing Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who was recently released from jail, Raja noted that she intends to stay away from political involvement. The internal dynamics of the PTI were also highlighted when Raja responded to criticism from party member Sher Afzal Marwat regarding the effectiveness of their protest movements.
Raja warned that disciplinary action might be taken if Marwat continues to challenge party discipline. In response, Marwat expressed his loyalty to Khan and the party’s founder, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, dismissing Raja’s authority over him. This exchange underscores the fractures within the PTI as it seeks to navigate the challenging political landscape while attempting to mobilize support against the government’s actions. As the PTI prepares for these protests, the party aims to rally public support against what it deems unconstitutional changes and repressive governance tactics.
