Opposition Alliance Holds Protest in Quetta, Demands Release of Imran Khan and Other Political Detainees
Quetta: The Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (Movement for the Protection of the Constitution), led by opposition leader and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, held protest rallies across Pakistan on Wednesday to mark three years since the imprisonment of former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
The alliance’s main rally in Balochistan was held in Quetta, where leaders and supporters of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), the Balochistan National Party (BNP), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) marched from the PkMAP Central Secretariat on Club Road before gathering at Bacha Khan Chowk for a public meeting.
The protest was chaired by PkMAP Secretary General Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal and addressed by Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, BNP Vice President Sajid Tareen Advocate, and PTI Balochistan General Secretary Jahangir Rind, along with other political leaders. Women PTI supporters also participated in the demonstration.
Participants chanted slogans calling for the release of Imran Khan and other political detainees, restoration of the Constitution, democracy, judicial independence, media freedom, and civilian supremacy.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers demanded the release of Imran Khan, Mah Rang Baloch, Ali Wazir, and other political detainees, arguing that political imprisonment would not resolve the country’s challenges.
The speakers alleged that the results of the February 8, 2024 general elections did not reflect the public mandate and criticized what they described as political interference in the electoral process. They also expressed concern over the country’s political and economic situation, alleging that constitutional principles, democracy, and civil liberties had been undermined.
The leaders further claimed that the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had deteriorated and linked the unrest to broader political instability. They criticized restrictions on political activities, media coverage, and public protests, and called for the restoration of constitutional governance, parliamentary independence, judicial autonomy, and freedom of the press.
The speakers also criticized the Quetta district administration for not permitting the protest, describing the decision as unconstitutional and undemocratic, while maintaining that peaceful political protest is a constitutional right. They pledged to continue their political campaign through peaceful and democratic means.
