A fresh wave of political agitation is on the horizon as Pakistan braces for PTI protests nationwide on August 5. With frustration mounting among supporters over perceived political injustice, the party’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has positioned the protest as more than a political act, it’s being cast as a fight for Pakistan’s democratic integrity.
The rallying cry, echoed by senior PTI members during a press briefing in Lahore, comes amid a complex political environment that has seen over 100 elected representatives sidelined. Supporters believe these disqualifications were not only unlawful but strategically orchestrated to dismantle the party’s influence.
From Lahore to Karachi, social media users are already coalescing around the PTI protests nationwide call, sharing messages of unity, resistance, and justice. Hashtags, videos of detained workers, and messages from incarcerated founder Imran Khan have added emotional weight to the movement.
References, Resistance, and Rhetoric: What’s Driving the PTI Protests Nationwide?
At the centre of this movement is anger over the Punjab Assembly’s decision to forward disqualification references against 26 PTI lawmakers to the Election Commission. While the government defends the move as legal, PTI leaders describe it as a clear breach of constitutional norms.
Raja didn’t mince words when criticising what he called the misuse of Form-47 during elections, a process he claims robbed the people of their true mandate. He likened the post-election crackdown to an orchestrated attempt to erase political opposition.
The party’s criticism isn’t confined to electoral manipulation. PTI is also raising concerns over shrinking press freedom and the alleged weaponisation of laws like PECA and sedition clauses. “Political dissent is being criminalised,” Raja warned, urging the formation of an independent judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9.
While internal disagreements surfaced briefly during the press conference, when a journalist’s question sparked a walkout by MPA Farrukh Javed Moon, the overarching message from PTI was one of unity and resistance.
Despite the disruption, Raja reiterated PTI’s willingness to engage in dialogue and accountability. “We want the truth to prevail. If someone deserves punishment, let justice take its course. But let us not punish political dissent,” he said.
Raja concluded by affirming that PTI remains strong both inside and outside Parliament and dismissed ongoing efforts to sideline the party as futile. “The people are still with Imran Khan,” he said. “Whether it’s the 27th or 28th constitutional amendment, it won’t change the truth.”
Also, see:
Bill Passed for Ban on Social Media for Children Below 16 Across Pakistan
