Aliya Hamza Calls for PTI Protests Against Election Rigging in Pakistan

Aliya Hamza, the chief organiser of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Punjab, has urged party leaders to hold protests on Saturday to mark a black day against alleged election rigging from last year. She announced this in a post on X, expressing concerns about being nominated in new cases and potential arrest. Hamza claimed victory over Hamza Shehbaz, son of Pakistan's Prime Minister, in the February 8 election, despite being in prison.

After being denied permission to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, Hamza instructed PTI members to connect with party wings and the public for peaceful protests. She emphasized educating people about the significance of February 8 and PTI's resilience through a door-to-door campaign, ensuring the protests align with PTI's principles of justice and accountability.

Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar accused the federal government of stealing the people's mandate in the elections, citing a Pattan report. He criticized the election results as unconstitutional but remained hopeful for eventual truth.

In response to PTI's planned protests, the Punjab government imposed Section 144, banning political gatherings on February 8 due to security concerns. The Provincial Intelligence Committee recommended these restrictions amid terrorism threats.

Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called for fresh elections, labeling the previous ones as rigged. He made these remarks after a dinner with PTI leaders, urging the PML-N government to resign and announce new elections.