Salman Akram Raja announces nationwide PTI protest for August 5

Express Tribune

2 days ago

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has called for a nationwide protest on August 5, urging the public to rally behind what he described as a 'historic movement.'
Framing the party's struggle as a fight for national sovereignty rather than mere political survival, Raja appealed for mass participation to defend democratic rights.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday alongside senior PTI leaders, he condemned what he called unconstitutional actions targeting PTI lawmakers, describing a broader crackdown on dissent.
He criticised the Punjab Assembly's decision to send references against 26 PTI members to the Election Commission of Pakistan, calling the move unlawful and politically motivated. 'Our members will continue to raise their voices against this unconstitutional step,' he said.
Raja accused the government of systematically sidelining over 100 elected PTI members through the manipulation of Form-47 during the electoral process. 'This is not just political engineering—it is an assault on the people's mandate,' he asserted.
He further alleged that the May 9 protests were deliberately misrepresented, claiming that what began as a peaceful demonstration was later portrayed as a violent conspiracy. He called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events and demanded the release of CCTV footage to substantiate the allegations made against PTI supporters.
'In jail, Imran Khan continues to praise our assembly members for standing firm,' Raja noted, adding that the PTI founder has been denied both legal and family access and is being subjected to harsh conditions, including long hours without ventilation.
He warned that Pakistan's political and judicial systems were at a critical juncture, describing July 21 as potentially 'a dark day in political and judicial history.' Raja criticised the state's use of anti-sedition laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to suppress dissent in both politics and journalism.
He also rejected speculation about internal deals within the party, maintaining that PTI members remain united and committed to their political stance. 'We are not stepping back. If someone dropped their reference, it does not mean there was a deal,' he clarified.
Reaffirming the party's constitutional position, Raja said, 'Disqualification is only possible under Articles 62 and 63. No one can be disqualified beyond that.' He added that truth-telling had effectively been criminalised and expressed concern over the erosion of freedom of expression.
The press conference took a contentious turn when a journalist asked whether Raja's rhetoric was aimed at keeping PTI's founder behind bars, and inquired about the nature of the planned protest. Raja responded calmly, stating that he had recently met with PTI leader Aliya Hamza to discuss organisational matters.
However, PTI MPA Farrukh Javed Moon interrupted, labelling the journalist's question 'stupid' and telling him to 'lower your voice,' accusing him of being disrespectful. The confrontation prompted Moon to walk out of the press conference, while other journalists protested his behaviour. Raja attempted to de-escalate the situation and urged restraint.
Despite the disruption, he reiterated PTI's willingness to engage in dialogue and accountability. 'We want the truth to prevail—if someone deserves punishment, let justice take its course. But let us not punish political dissent,' he said.
Raja concluded by affirming that PTI remains strong both inside and outside Parliament and dismissed ongoing efforts to sideline the party as futile. 'The people are still with Imran Khan,' he said. 'Whether it's the 27th or 28th constitutional amendment—it won't change the truth.'