ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai dismissed reports about the deteriorating health of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, saying the situation was not as serious as being portrayed through propaganda.
Speaking to media representatives after a joint meeting of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan and PTI’s political committee, Achakzai said that an attempt was being made to divert party workers from their objective by creating unnecessary concern about the PTI founder’s health.
He announced a protest on February 8 and alleged that narratives about illness were deliberately being pushed to weaken the movement. “If any harm comes to the PTI founder, the responsibility will lie with the government,” he warned.
“We want our institutions and armed forces to function within the constitutional framework, like institutions in other democratic countries,” he said.
He also praised Sohail Afridi for leading what he described as an effective street movement, adding that PTI workers appeared less focused on that aspect.
Achakzai said torch-bearing rallies would be held across the country, stressing that the movement would remain peaceful. “We do not want violence or abuse. We demand an independent Election Commission and general elections. Whichever party wins should form the government, and others should accept the result,” he said.
Calling for a restructuring of the Constitution, he said the movement to be launched on February 8 would be taken to its “logical conclusion”.
The opposition leader said he held no personal animosity towards Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but accused him of undermining the Constitution. “You have violated the Constitution, curtailed the powers of the judiciary, and introduced measures such as the PECA ordinance,” he said.