Sit-ins staged by the opposition alliance led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf entered their fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, with protests continuing at two separate locations inside Islamabad’s heavily guarded Red Zone amid heightened security and political tensions.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the primary demonstration is being held within the premises of Parliament House, where the protest is being led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly.
He is joined by Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, the Opposition Leader in the Senate, along with senior PTI leadership including Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.
Several senators and lawmakers have also remained present at the protest camp in the parliament.
A parallel sit-in is also underway at the main entrance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, reinforcing the opposition’s show of strength in the federal capital.
Protesters have maintained their presence despite security restrictions and administrative measures aimed at controlling access to sensitive government areas.
Authorities have increased security deployment in and around the Red Zone, an area that houses key government institutions, diplomatic missions, and Parliament.
Additional prisoner transport vans were stationed outside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House as a precautionary measure to deal with any potential law-and-order situation.
The protest movement was formally launched after Friday prayers on February 13 outside Parliament House, following revelations concerning alleged vision loss of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Opposition leaders have described the development as alarming and demanded transparency regarding his medical condition.
According to party sources, the decision to stage the sit-in was finalised during a meeting held on February 12 at the residence of Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Leaders of the opposition alliance resolved to begin a sustained protest campaign and declared that the sit-in would continue until their demands are met.
The opposition has framed the protest not only as a response to concerns about Imran Khan’s health but also as part of a broader campaign under the banner of Tehreek Tahaffuz Aain Pakistan, which calls for constitutional supremacy and the protection of democratic rights.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif