ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday called on the public to participate wholeheartedly and peacefully in the nationwide wheel jam and shutter-down strike scheduled for Sunday, organised by the Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP).
Separately, TTAP Vice-Chairman and opposition alliance Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas announced that alongside the “Black Day,” Sunday would also be observed as a day of mourning for the Friday massacre of worshippers at a Tarlai mosque.
Speaking to the media, Senator Nasir Abbas, who is also chairman of the Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen, alleged that the incumbent regime represents the darkest era in Pakistan’s history. “How could innocent people, offering prayers in a mosque and in prostration, be attacked?” he lamented.
He added that after February 8, religious scholars would issue a call for peaceful protests to mourn the martyrs and condemn the government’s failure to protect them.
Meanwhile, the PTI Central Media Department issued a statement declaring that the country would come to a complete standstill—with streets blocked, shops and restaurants closed, vehicles off the roads, and trucks, tractors, vans and buses stationary.
“This day holds special significance, marking two years since February 8, 2024—a dark day when the people’s mandate was stolen in the general elections,” the statement said.
The party emphasised that the peaceful shutter-down strike and wheel jam also highlight the ongoing injustice with PTI founding Chairman Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for over two and a half years on, what it called, false and baseless charges, along with his wife.
The statement noted that hundreds of other innocent political prisoners remain behind bars. “Democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and a free press continue to face severe threats,” it added. The PTI stated that the protest also sends a clear message against ongoing terrorism, lawlessness and lack of public security in Islamabad, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across the country.
The party called on citizens to perform Maghrib prayers in congregation at their nearest mosques and pray for the end of what it termed an imposed, illegitimate government, as well as for the safety and release of Imran Khan and his wife. It urged people to also pray for the freedom of all political prisoners and activists, full restoration of the Constitution and complete independence of the judiciary.
The PTI further asked citizens to pray for the protection of human rights, a free press and the restoration of freedom of expression nationwide.
Following the prayers, participants were encouraged to join peaceful candlelight marches in their respective areas, using mobile lights or handheld lamps. The party stressed that all demonstrations must remain strictly peaceful and disciplined, and asked participants to record their protests responsibly.
In a separate statement, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja explained that, according to TTAP Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Vice-Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, the protest would not be confined to a single day but would continue until its objectives are achieved.
He contended that the movement was not limited to political workers alone, and that people could participate in their own way to register disapproval of the present government which, he said, had failed on all fronts.
Meanwhile, the PTI has finalised arrangements for shutter down and wheel-jam strike across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as police have chalked out a plan to maintain law and order during the protest today.
Meetings were held in different markets and trade centres in Peshawar and all the districts of the province. The PTI leadership and workers visited various markets and trade centers to convince the trader community as well as the general public to support the call for strike.
Many members of the National Assembly and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly along with leadership of the PTI and former candidates initiated door-to-door campaigns on Saturday, asking people to support the call for strike. The door-to-door campaign was going on for the last many days. Cabinet members also attended meetings on preparations for the strike on February 8, the day when the last general elections were held.
In some bazaars, the unions and traders have announced they will not support the strike and will continue their business as per routine. However, many markets will also be closed due to their weekly off on Sunday.
Police have made arrangements to maintain law and order during the strike. More cops have been deployed at important trade centres as well as places where unions have refused to support the shutter down.
