PTI Calls August 5 Protest, Targets Wheat Crisis and Fuel Costs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Salman Akram Raja called for nationwide demonstrations on August 5 as he intensified the opposition party's criticism of the federal government over wheat supplies, fuel prices, public spending and the imprisonment of former prime minister Imran Khan. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Raja urged supporters to participate peacefully in the planned protest campaign.
Raja alleged that government mismanagement had deepened economic pressure on households already struggling with food and transport costs. He argued that repeated increases in petroleum prices and problems in the wheat market reflected wider failures in economic planning, regulation and the protection of consumers from sudden price shocks.
The PTI leader claimed that between four million and 4.5 million tonnes of wheat could not be properly accounted for, with the figure potentially reaching five million tonnes. He attributed the alleged shortfall to negligence and collusion with hoarders, although the claims have not been independently established and the government had not issued a detailed response to his latest remarks at the time of reporting.
Raja said influential stockholders were benefiting while ordinary citizens faced higher prices and uncertainty over essential supplies. He also disputed the government's position that domestic fuel adjustments were driven primarily by international market conditions, arguing that stronger reserve management and better policymaking could have reduced the impact on consumers.
The opposition leader further claimed that Punjab had transferred Rs806 billion to the federation from resources that should have supported health and education. His remarks combined economic grievances with PTI's broader political narrative that public funds are being poorly prioritised while families face rising living expenses and declining access to essential services.
Turning to Imran Khan's imprisonment, Raja criticised the conditions under which the former premier is being held and alleged unequal treatment compared with other political figures. He claimed that Khan had been offered the possibility of moving to his Bani Gala residence but chose to remain incarcerated rather than accept an arrangement that could weaken his political position. Authorities have previously maintained that prisoners are treated according to applicable laws and court directions.
August 5 carries political significance for PTI because it marks the anniversary of Khan's arrest in 2023 following his conviction in the Toshakhana case. Although that conviction became part of a wider series of legal proceedings, the former prime minister has remained in custody as PTI continues to describe the cases against him as politically motivated. The government and its allies reject that characterisation and say the courts are handling the matters independently.
Raja predicted a large public response to the protest call and said further details of the strategy would be announced by PTI leadership, including Sohail Afridi. He emphasised that participants should demonstrate peacefully, a point likely to receive close attention from law-enforcement agencies after previous opposition protests resulted in road closures, arrests, clashes and competing allegations of excessive force and organised violence.
PTI also intends to challenge the dismissal of a case connected with the events of November 26, with Raja alleging that witnesses had faced pressure and interference. These accusations remain subject to legal scrutiny, and any appeal will require the party to present evidence before the relevant court while respondents receive an opportunity to contest its claims.
The coming days will test whether PTI can translate its economic and political messaging into broad public mobilisation without triggering disorder. Authorities will also face pressure to protect peaceful assembly while maintaining security and normal commercial activity. Attention is now expected to shift towards the party's final protest plan, possible government restrictions and any negotiations that could reduce political tensions before August 5.