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TTAP Claims Arrests of Workers as Opposition Caravan Heads to Lahore
TTAP alleges arrests of its workers by Punjab police during opposition’s street mobilisation towards Lahore; PTI terms actions “fascism” and demands release of detainees.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-08
TTAP Claims Arrests of Workers as Opposition Caravan Heads to Lahore

The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Thursday claimed that several of its workers were taken into custody by the Punjab police during the opposition alliance’s street mobilisation campaign as its delegation travelled from Islamabad to Lahore.

A TTAP delegation, led by alliance head Mahmood Khan Achakzai, departed Islamabad earlier in the day as part of the opposition’s “street movement” aimed at holding political and social gatherings in the provincial capital.

In a post on X around 11am, the TTAP confirmed that the delegation had left for Lahore. Later, at 3:34pm, the alliance claimed that “dozens” of workers belonging to the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) — a constituent of the TTAP — were arrested in Lahore, including the party’s senior vice president, Syed Hussain Kazmi.

The TTAP further claimed that the son of MWM chief Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who also serves as the alliance’s vice chairman, was taken into custody.

“Immediately after the arrest, police officials expressed ignorance and claimed that he was not in their custody,” the TTAP said in its statement.

However, a Gujranwala police official denied the arrest, telling Dawn that Senator Abbas’s son was merely stopped for questioning after a vehicle from a PTI rally allegedly hit a police constable, and was later allowed to proceed.

The PTI, in a separate statement, condemned what it described as “fascism and oppression by the Punjab police”, alleging that multiple members of peaceful delegations were being detained along the route of the caravan.

“Peaceful citizens and party workers, who are unarmed and pose no threat, are being subjected to brutal behaviour by police acting on political orders,” the PTI claimed.

The party further alleged that the vehicles of its MPAs Malik Fahad, Raja Tanvir and Sardar Muhammad Ali were vandalised in Kharian, while an earlier TTAP post said unidentified individuals had broken the windows of convoy vehicles in Gujrat.

According to the PTI, its ticket holders, organisational officials and workers were also arrested in Gujar Khan. The TTAP shared videos purportedly showing a police van from the Gujar Khan station and officers carrying batons.

In another serious allegation, the PTI claimed that late-night raids were conducted at the residences of its workers in Lahore, during which a worker, Rashid Yousuf Jan, reportedly died in Hanjarwal.

The party demanded the immediate release of all “unjustly arrested” individuals and called for accountability against those responsible for what it termed “unconstitutional and illegal actions”.

TTAP Convoy Continues Journey

According to a TTAP update posted at 5:20pm, the alliance’s delegation entered the limits of Gujranwala as it continued its journey towards Lahore via GT Road.

Earlier, while addressing workers in Jhelum around 1:30pm, Senator Raja Nasir Abbas alleged that the people’s mandate was stolen in the 2024 general elections.

“There is economic exploitation, and the political crisis is deepening. We have taken to the streets for fundamental rights, for the poor, labourers, unemployed and farmers,” he said, standing alongside Achakzai.

He announced that the alliance would launch nationwide protests against “cruelty and oppression” on February 8.

In a separate video message, Achakzai stressed that the movement would remain peaceful.

“We are not going to Lahore to conquer anyone or create chaos. Our aim is to end oppression and cruelty,” he said, calling on citizens to stand against what he described as a Parliament “thrust upon” the country.

The TTAP chief urged people from all walks of life to join protests on February 8, calling for the closure of shops, rickshaws and taxis as part of the peaceful movement.

Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Moeen Qureshi, who accompanied Achakzai, welcomed the delegation and warned authorities against mistreating the alliance’s leadership. He reiterated that the movement would remain peaceful.

PTI Punjab chief organiser Aliya Hamza Malik, in a post on X, welcomed the TTAP leaders to Lahore, saying the party would give them a “grand welcome” at nine locations along GT Road.

TTAP spokesperson Hussain Yousafzai described the visit as a “practice match for the larger movement”, expressing hope that it would energise PTI workers in Punjab. He also announced that PTI leader Asad Qaiser would hold a press conference later in the day.

At a recent national conference, TTAP leaders announced plans to observe a “black day” on February 8 — the second anniversary of the 2024 general elections — and reiterated demands for an independent judiciary, free elections, and the release of political prisoners to restore political stability in the country.
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