The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced countrywide protests scheduled for Friday against soaring inflation, rising fuel prices, worsening law and order, and the treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan in jail.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party’s parliamentary members had been briefed on the future political strategy and had unanimously approved the alliance’s four-point agenda.
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Qaiser stated that demonstrations would be held nationwide to protest inflation, sharp increases in petroleum prices, prolonged electricity load-shedding, deteriorating security conditions, and what he described as inhumane treatment of Imran Khan, including denial of basic civil rights and negligence regarding his health.
He criticized the government for what he called a lack of seriousness in Parliament, citing repeated quorum issues. He warned that if the situation continued, the opposition would not allow Parliament to function smoothly.
The former National Assembly speaker also claimed the government intended to impose Rs17 trillion in new taxes in the upcoming budget, which he said would worsen inflation and place additional burden on ordinary citizens.
According to Qaiser, salaried employees, laborers, farmers, and the middle class were suffering due to the government’s economic policies, while the middle-income segment had nearly been wiped out.
He further alleged that PTI leaders, including Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were facing serious human rights violations in jail. Qaiser maintained that if cases against Imran Khan were heard fairly and on merit, he would not remain imprisoned.
The PTI leader also voiced concern over the security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, linking the rise in terrorism to what he termed an irresponsible foreign policy. He added that strained relations with Afghanistan had negatively affected trade and employment opportunities in the region.
Qaiser demanded that Imran Khan be transferred to a hospital in accordance with jail regulations and that restrictions on meetings with him be lifted. He also called for the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, an end to severe electricity and gas load-shedding, and the removal of restrictions on wheat and flour transportation.
Earlier, TTAP chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai shared on X that the protest decision had been finalized during an alliance leadership summit. TTAP said the demonstrations would also call for the release of political prisoners and the restoration of fundamental rights.
Addressing the media separately, Qaiser reiterated concerns about the health of both Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, saying the public and party leadership were deeply worried about their condition.
He again stressed that Friday’s protests would focus on inflation, fuel price hikes, health concerns surrounding Imran and Bushra Bibi, and demands for their transfer to hospital facilities.
Qaiser warned that if opposition lawmakers continued facing restrictions in Parliament, they would disrupt assembly proceedings. He also described the upcoming federal budget as “anti-poor” due to expected tax increases.
Earlier this year, a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Barrister Salman Safdar revealed that Imran Khan had informed officials that vision in his right eye had declined to only 15 percent. Following the report, the Supreme Court directed authorities to allow him access to his personal doctors at Adiala Jail.
Subsequently, a medical board reported improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend shifting him to a hospital.
Imran Khan first underwent a minor eye procedure in January after doctors at PIMS examined him and carried out treatment with his written consent. Later, PIMS confirmed that he had received an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to treat right central retinal vein occlusion.
Another medical examination in March reportedly showed further improvement in his eyesight after a second anti-VEGF injection, while a third dose was administered on March 23.
Bushra Bibi also underwent medical evaluation in March after complaining of pain and blurred vision in her right eye. Doctors diagnosed her with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), along with myopia and astigmatism. She was prescribed medication, eye drops, and glasses before later undergoing eye surgery on April 16.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi remain imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. In December 2025, both were sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case involving allegations related to a Bulgari jewelry set gifted by the Saudi crown prince.
Imran Khan has remained in custody since August 2023 in connection with the £190 million corruption case and also faces multiple cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9, 2023, protests.
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