PTI on streets!
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is understood to lead the movement and there isn't much certainty as to how Punjab and the federal capital's populace will respond, as they have been a victim of lethal crackdown in the past. This dizziness has apparently compelled PTI to chalk out a smart strategy wherein workers and supporters plan to "block roads, share their political heart and disperse peacefully". To what extent it succeeds in building a momentum of change through this 'guerilla campaign' is anybody's guess, but taking into account the vibrancy of the party on social media, it is set to create ripples and give a tough time to the coalition dispensation that is out to exterminate the opposition.
The PTI has already launched a mass campaign as far as its overseas strength is concerned, and its media blitz in the Western capitals is making a qualified anti-government impact. The whirlpool tour of Khan's sons to the US, seeking their father's release, has galvanised the necessary sparks and their proposed visit to Pakistan is in need of being watched.
Little is known about the role of the six-party opposition alliance, TTAP, in the protest. But what is certain is that the pestering instability is pushing the country to the cliff, and this new phase of revulsion will have its toll. The outcome rests in talking it out, and it's high time for the authorities to engage with the PTI. Many of its demands are worth accepting, like release of all prisoners, including Imran Khan, and provision of due political space. Will someone stand up and be counted from the corridors of power to usher in a thaw?
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Business Recorder
2 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Decapitating PTI?
On July 31, 2025, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad sentenced over 100 leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to jail terms of up to 10 years in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots. On that day, PTI supporters protesting the arrest of their leader Imran Khan, staged violent protests throughout the country, vandalising military installations, state-owned buildings and the Lahore Corps Commander's residence. In the aftermath of these events, thousands of protestors, including party leaders, were arrested. The Faisalabad ATC ordered the arrest of all those convicted who were not present in the court. These sentences follow a military court's sentencing on December 21 and 26, 2024 of over 50 PTI leaders and activists for up to 10 years for their involvement in the same May 9 riots. The ATCs have been hearing the May 9 related cases daily to meet a deadline set by the Supreme Court (SC) for the conclusion of the trials by August 2025. So should we read the Faisalabad ATC's extra speed in pronouncing sentence on over 100 leaders and workers of the PTI purely the result of the SC's deadline? That may be too naïve. Consider. The PTI, despite the 'decapitation' of a considerable weight of its leadership and activists, has announced plans to hold a countrywide protest movement today, August 5, 2025 to demand the release of Imran Khan amongst other demands to 'restore genuine democracy', reverse the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP's) disqualification of ATC-convicted PTI parliamentarians without waiting for their appeals to be heard, and, despite the fact that all those sentenced but not in prison have gone 'underground', use today's (August 5, 2025) National Assembly session called by President Asif Zardari to stage strong protests in the House against perceived and actual repression let loose against the PTI. It may well be, therefore, that the Faisalabad ATC's 'haste' had something to do with an effort to stymie, if not quell, the PTI's protest plans. This is, in addition to the PTI's own difficulties if their 'underground' leaders and cadres emerge to stage the protests, risking thereby arrest and lengthy incarceration. It remains to be seen, therefore, how the protests play out. Peaceful protest declamations by the PTI notwithstanding, the day could prove extremely violent. On the eve of the countrywide protest drive, Imran Khan has reportedly managed to send out a message to his followers; his message consists of two components. The first is his reiteration of the policy he has long advocated and adhered to, including when he was in power, to refrain from any further military operations in the tribal areas against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and instead attempt to negotiate with them. While this argument sounds seductive, especially given the desire and actual practice of some tribal elders of carrying on negotiations with the TTP for a ceasefire, it was tried in the past but made shipwreck on the TTP's violation of every agreement for ceasefires and peace. When Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur reminds us that we have so far conducted 21 military operations that did not succeed, what he significantly omits is the reasons why these operations did not succeed. In a nutshell, it was because the TTP went back to terrorism after every such 'deal'. The tribal elders' hopes notwithstanding, there is no evidence that the TTP has changed its colours and will not repeat the breaking of any ceasefire or peace agreement. So, one may be forgiven for advising Imran Khan not to waste the few and far between opportunities to get his messages out on a demonstrably failed strategy. The second part of Imran Khan's message concerns the protest drive. He condemns (justly, many would say) the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as proxies of the establishment. The problem though is that many others have not forgotten that Imran Khan and the PTI came to power in 2018 with the help and backing of the same establishment, and would probably still be enjoying the perks and privileges of power instead of cooling their heels in less salubrious surroundings if they had not eventually fallen out with their mentors. What this recalled truth implies is that the people of Pakistan are presented with a devil's bargain in choosing between present (and incumbent) establishment proxies and (past) would-be proxies. In fact, the people have been left with no (or only bad) choices since the political class entire has sold them out to the real powers-that-be in Pakistan. This Hobson's choice is perhaps the major reason for the disillusionment, despair, and depression of the vast majority, especially the youth, whose pure idealism has been destroyed by the cynical betrayal of their hopes and dreams by the political class as a whole, composed, it may be noted in passing, of the elite that has gripped a suffering people by their throats. [email protected] Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
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Sugar crisis: CJP urged to take suo motu notice
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) is asked to take suo moto on the sugar crisis and constitute a commission to fix responsibility for policy manipulation and identify lapses in regulation. Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar on behalf of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin Pakistan (TTAP), on Monday, wrote a letter to CJP Yahya Afridi, and urged him to refer the matter to a three-member judges' committee of the Supreme Court and treat the letter as a petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. He stated that as all available redressal forums that could provide relief remain silent, seemingly due to pressure from the executive, which is why we are writing to you. Mustafa submitted that a comprehensive and transparent investigation is imperative to uncover the full extent of policy manipulation within the sugar industry. Identify all beneficiaries of these exploitative decisions, especially those from the ruling coalition who hold significant stakes in the sugar mills, and ensure strict accountability for those who have prioritised personal gain over national interest and public welfare. The TTAP vice chairman wrote that alarming increase in sugar price is not a mere market fluctuation but a direct consequence of deliberate policy choices. 'Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, in a move that defies logic and public interest first approved the export of 765,000 metric tonnes of sugar between July 2024 and May 2025, despite clear warnings of impending supply shortages,' he stated. This decision allowed a select group of sugar barons to reap immense profits. Subsequently, when local prices skyrocketed, the government paradoxically approved the import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar, further facilitating the same beneficiaries through preferential tax treatment. The cabinet waived all duties and taxes on these imports. This tax exemption has rightly drawn the ire of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), clashing with loan conditions and exacerbating Pakistan's fiscal strain. This export-import cycle, repeated over the past 24 months, unequivocally exposes the profound influence of the sugar industry over national policy. It raises serious questions about economic stewardship and, more critically, about who truly benefits from these decisions. He mentioned that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed on July 29th, that sugar mills have earned Rs300 billion due to recent fluctuations in the rates of this essential commodity. The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has postponed the hearing of the sugar cartel case after over 70 sugar mills requested a delay, citing the unavailability of legal counsel due to the Supreme Court's summer recess. In 2021, the CCP imposed a Rs44 billion fine on the PSMA and its member mills for forming a cartel to fix sugar prices and engaging in other anti-competitive practices. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PTI calls protest start of struggle for justice
The civil administration in Rawalpindi on Monday imposed Section 144 across the district from August 4 to August 10 ahead of the PTI's protest scheduled for today, August 5. According to a notification issued by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema, public gatherings and political rallies are banned in the garrison city, whose Adiala Jail is the place where the PTI founder Imran Khan has been detained for around 2 years. Under Section 144, pillion riding on motorcycles and display of weapons are prohibited while loudspeakers cannot be used during this period. To prevent any law and order situation near Adiala Jail, a red alert has been issued and Adiala Road will be completely sealed with containers. According to the official notification, the Punjab Rangers will be deployed around the jail and the rangers will conduct joint patrols with Rawalpindi Police. Anti-riot police equipped with tear gas and batons will also be stationed at all barricades. Traffic from Kacheri to Adiala Jail and from the Chakri Motorway Interchange will be diverted to alternate routes. Legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to remove official blockades. Meanwhile, ahead of the planned protests, senior PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser issued a video message stating that on August 5, there will be protests all across the country "This is not just a protest, but the beginning of a movement. Two years ago, on this very day, the fascist government unjustly arrested Imran Khan, and for the last two years, he has remained imprisoned without due cause. "We demand justice and merit-based decisions from the judiciary. Unfortunately, after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the judiciary has practically become subordinate to the government. It is saddening to see the public's trust in the courts diminishing day by day," he added. The PTI leader asked as to what has come out of the numerous operations conducted in merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which were earlier part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). "These operations have neither brought peace nor ended unrest. Let it be clearwe will not allow any military operation on our soil. We want peace on our land. "Our demand is simple and clear: justice for Imran Khan. When justice is denied, the principle of 'might is right' prevails. A system of disbelief can survive, but a system based on oppression cannot," he added. According to Qaiser, the country is heading further into tyranny and the current rulers are sitting on power through force. He said people do not want violence, explosions, or extortion but peace, jobs, and education for our children. "The movement starting today is not just PTI's battleit is the struggle of the entire nation, for the rule of law, justice, merit, and equal rights for all citizens," he said. WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN PESHAWAR.
