TTAP backs PTI’s October 4 protest

The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) has announced that it will fully participate in the PTI’s nationwide protest scheduled for October 4.

The opposition alliance, which includes the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), said it would support the protest despite earlier reservations over the postponement of the planned September 27 march.

The PTI had initially announced the protest for September 27, with a march towards Islamabad to demand the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The protest was later rescheduled for October 4.

TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai said the September 27 protest had originally been announced as a joint call of the opposition alliance. He said the alliance had also discussed plans for protests in Sindh and Balochistan.

According to the spokesperson, consultations were held with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI leadership regarding the protest strategy.

Yousafzai said TTAP leaders had expressed concerns over delaying the protest because they considered the period after September 27 important for their political activities. However, the alliance agreed to respect the PTI’s decision after the new date was announced.

He said the current political situation made the October 4 protest important for what the alliance described as the protection of constitutional and political rights.

Before the postponement was announced, TTAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Opposition Leader in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas had reportedly preferred continuing with the original plan. They later agreed to follow the PTI’s decision, despite not endorsing the delay.

Yousafzai said the PTI remained a partner of the opposition alliance and confirmed that TTAP would support its October 4 march.