A coalition of six opposition parties under the banners of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has failed to launch the street movement for the February 8 protest, especially in the heart of the provincial capital Lahore.
The inner sources revealed that instead of focusing on action, PTI’s Punjab Assembly members from Lahore are gearing up to celebrate Basant on February 8.
There’s been zero visible activity in the city around the strike the party announced. PTI Lahore President Karam Usman has stayed out of sight, and the local leaders haven’t shared any solid plan for making the strike happen.
PTI Lahore was unable to organise any effective public movement or protest activity.
According to party sources, meetings were planned with transporters to make the February 8 strike effective, but not a single meeting has been held so far.
Similarly, no corner meetings or public gatherings were organised in various areas of Lahore to mobilise the public, leading to widespread confusion among party workers.
The party leadership had issued instructions to distribute banners numbered 804 on the occasion of Basant, but this directive was also not implemented. Meanwhile, the senior leadership of PTI continues to express its determination to make the February 8 strike a success.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah’s reaction
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah made it clear that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is not in a position to launch any street movement, adding that the party’s planned wheel-jam strike on February 8 is not permitted under the law.
Speaking to a private TV channel Rana Sanaullah reiterated that PTI lacks the capacity to initiate a street movement, adding that based on the party’s recent visits to Sindh and Punjab, there was no indication of any such movement. He again emphasised that the proposed wheel-jam strike on February 8 was illegal.
What is Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan doing?
A coalition of six opposition parties under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) held consultative meetings to finalise plans for observing Black Day and holding a nationwide strike on February 8.
Recently, a meeting was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai and was attended by Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar, Muhammad Zubair, Amar Ali Jan, and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the consultation process regarding the observance of Black Day at the international level and the organisation of a nationwide strike on February 8 was completed.
The opposition alliance declared February 8 as a day of collective humiliation for the Pakistani nation, stating that the fundamental authority of the people and their right to choose their rulers were taken away on that day.
The declaration further said that Mehmood Khan Achakzai would not withdraw the call for protest on February 8 under any circumstances. Instructions were also issued to all allied parties and their organisational wings to ensure the success of the strike.
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