Feb 8 Is a Battle for Vote, Democracy and Freedom: Salman Akram Raja

**Lahore (Qudrat Daily):** Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has called on the nation to come out on February 8, declaring it a struggle for the protection of votes, democracy, and freedom.

Addressing the media outside the Punjab Assembly, Salman Akram Raja said that a highly important meeting of the PTI parliamentary party was held in the Punjab Assembly, where detailed consultations were carried out on the party’s future course of action.

He said February 8 would serve as a reminder to those who “stole the party’s mandate,” adding that if democracy is to survive in the country, the nation must step out on that day. He warned that certain planners claim what happened in 2024 will be repeated in 2029, but stressed that PTI will not accept any such outcome and will come into power through the people’s vote.

The PTI secretary general announced that from today, the party has decided to mobilize its voters and supporters for February 8 and beyond. He termed the movement a fight for the PTI founder, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of the people, saying every individual must play their role.

Criticizing the economic situation, Salman Akram Raja said that false claims of economic improvement have been made for the past three years, while industries are shutting down, unemployment is rising, and investors are leaving the country. He added that there is no respect left for law or the sanctity of the vote in Pakistan.

Referring to the alleged attack on Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi and a defamation case worth Rs 840 million, he said such actions are attempts to silence voices, emphasizing that politics should be responded to with politics and false cases must be withdrawn.

He concluded by saying that the nation will remain mobilized until and after February 8, asserting that the people themselves will bring about change and Lahore will give a strong response to what he termed fascism.