Routine life continues in Islamabad despite PTI’s call for protest

Despite the call for a countrywide strike given by the PTI for today on February 8 to protest rigging in the general elections held on February 8, 2024, business activities are continuing in Islamabad as usual, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

Similarly, traffic is also plying on the city roads. 

The PTI plans to take out a rally from Faisal Mosque today after the Maghrib prayers.

Despite the crackdown launched by the government on the PTI leaders and workers one day ahead of the party’s planned protest on February 8, the party and its allied opposition platform, Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), on Saturday reaffirmed their resolve to go ahead with their protest and strike, framing February 8 (today) as both a Black Day and a Day of Mourning.

Besides launching a crackdown on the PTI leaders and workers, the administration also imposed Section 144 to prevent the assemblage of people.

Addressing a joint news conference alongside senior opposition leaders, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas argued that until power was transferred to the people, conditions would not improve.

Announcing the opposition's programme, he said February 8 would be observed as both "Youm-e-Siyah" (Black Day) and "Youm-e-Sog" (Day of Mourning), while a nationwide protest would be held the following Friday.

PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said February 8, 2024 marked the imposition of what he described as a system of injustice and deception.

Calling the present moment one of collective grief, he said the opposition stood with the oppressed and would express its rejection of what he termed "thieves" who had usurped public mandate.

"Our voice has been stolen," Raja said, adding that a system built on oppression could not endure.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif