Torch-bearing rallies will be held across country: Achakzai accuses PM of violating Constitution

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and head of the opposition alliance Tehreek-e- Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e- Pakistan lTTAP), Mahmood Khan Achakzai, on Friday accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of violating the Constitution and announced that torch-bearing rallies would be held across the country “tomorrow or the day after”.

Speaking after a joint meeting of TTAP and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political committee, Achakzai said the opposition had declared February 8 as a “black day” and appealed to citizens who believed in constitutional rule to come out on the streets.

“We want our institutions and armed forces to function within the constitutional framework, like institutions in other democratic countries,” he said.

Addressing reports regarding the health of PTI founder Imran Khan, Achakzai alleged that propaganda was being spread to divert attention from the opposition’s movement.

He said Imran Khan was not an ordinary individual but was in state custody, and any harm to him would be the responsibility of the state, both civil and military.

“I say with confidence that the PTI founder’s health is not as bad as being portrayed. The aim is to distract us from our objective,” he said, urging traders to close businesses for one day on February 8 and appealing to transport associations to support the protest.

He also praised Sohail Afridi for leading what he described as an effective street movement, adding that PTI workers appeared less focused on that aspect.

Achakzai said torch-bearing rallies would be held across the country, stressing that the movement would remain peaceful. “We do not want violence or abuse. We demand an independent Election Commission and general elections. Whichever party wins should form the government, and others should accept the result,” he said.

Calling for a restructuring of the Constitution, he said the movement to be launched on February 8 would be taken to its “logical conclusion”.

The opposition leader said he held no personal animosity towards Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but accused him of undermining the Constitution. “You have violated the Constitution, curtailed the powers of the judiciary, and introduced measures such as the PECA ordinance,” he said.

He concluded by urging citizens to join the torch-bearing rallies, saying the movement’s slogan was to “end oppression” and called on people to walk alongside the opposition.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026