ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in coordination with Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan (TTAP), on Tuesday announced a nationwide protest scheduled for this Friday (May 22), targeting rising inflation, surging petroleum prices, the “mistreatment” of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, and the continued detention of political prisoners.
Following an emergency meeting of its parliamentary panel, the party greenlit a nationwide protest this Friday, centred on securing hospital treatment for its founding chairman’s serious eye condition, alongside a host of other grievances.
Speaking at a press conference, PTI parliamentary leader in National Assembly, Shahid Khattak, flanked by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser and other senior party leaders, expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
Khattak stated that the parliamentary party had unanimously endorsed TTAP’s decision to stage protests, criticising the government for ignoring the urgent medical needs of the jailed PTI leadership particularly Imran Khan.
Qaiser reiterated that the parliamentary party had endorsed TTAP’s four-point agenda and pledged full support for its implementation.
He further announced the opposition’s intention to block the federal budget, accusing the government of marginalising dissenting voices.
Criticising the treatment of political prisoners, including lawyer Iman Mazari, he said, “We seek justice, not a deal like Nawaz Sharif.”
Qaiser also decried rising terrorism, governmental mismanagement, and industrial decline in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), while demanding the reversal of fuel price hikes and an end to restrictions on flour, gas, and CNG supplies.
He warned that the continued suppression of opposition voices in Parliament could paralyse legislative proceedings and accused the judiciary of failing the public, claiming that trust in the legal system was eroding and fundamental human rights were under threat.
He demanded that all cases against Imran Khan be adjudicated transparently and on merit, insisting that a fair hearing would prevent him from enduring further incarceration.
He also criticised the government’s domestic and foreign policies, stating that rising terrorism is a direct consequence of flawed strategies and that diplomatic relations with Afghanistan remain mismanaged.
Highlighting economic repercussions in KP, he cautioned that business activity was suffering and ordinary citizens were bearing the brunt of policy failures.
The opposition’s demands are extensive: the immediate transfer of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to hospital in line with jail regulations, unrestricted visitation rights, a rollback of petroleum levies, an end to electricity and gas load-shedding, and the lifting of restrictions on wheat and flour supplies from Punjab to KP.
Khattak added that international media revelations had confirmed PTI’s long-standing stance regarding the infamous cipher, which he claimed was used to topple a democratically elected government, inflicting severe damage on the nation.
He branded Sharif administration as incompetent, calling for a public apology and accountability for alleged electoral fraud through Form 47.
“On Friday, the masses will seek justice in the court of the people,” he declared, urging nationwide participation to amplify public dissent against government excesses.
Earlier in the day, TTAP, under the chairmanship of Mehmood Khan Achakzai, announced the countrywide demonstrations, citing escalating inflation, soaring fuel costs, the failure to transfer Imran Khan to hospital, and the ongoing detention of political prisoners. In a statement on X, Achakzai declared that the protests would demand Khan’s immediate transfer to a hospital of his choice and the release of political detainees, framing the movement as a response to worsening economic conditions, lawlessness, and political repression.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026