UMERKOT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has said that after the 26th constitutional amendment, his party has little hope for justice. “Still, we are in legal battle for the constitutional rights of the people of this country,” he said.

He described the amendment as “an attack not only on the judiciary but on decency as well,” adding that many people had been unfairly detained in the country.

Raja was addressing a party workers’ convention held in the Lohana Community Hall, Umerkot district. The even was part of PTI’s ongoing mass contact drive to mobilise its workers and supporters for the August 5 launch of a massive campaign for the release of its founder leader Imran Khan and other incarcerated leaders and activists.

Raja also spoke to the media after the convention.

He firmly rejected speculations of a backdoor deal. “There are no secret negotiations [with government or the establishment]. We have no contact with [JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman; he has his politics and we have ours,” Raja said.

He also reaffirmed PTI’s support for Dr Aafia Siddiqui, and calling her conviction by a US court as ‘unfair’.

The senior PTI leader asked party workers and people from all walks of life to come out on roads using their constitutional and democratic right for the release of Imran Khan and other incarcerated leaders and activists.

He also rejected rumors being spread about differences between party leaders, saying: “There is only one leader of PTI, Imran Khan”. He categorically stated that there was no ‘minus-Imran’ deal in the making.

He explained that there was a difference of opinion about the recent Senate election, i.e. whether to secure certain seats or contest for more.

Speaking about the February 8 election results, Raja said: “That day was a revolution; the masses rejected this fascist system, but results were changed to show the public that their vote doesn’t matter. Despite all obstacles, PTI emerged as a popular force but was denied its rightful seats.”

He condemned that for two long years, PTI founder and many other leaders had been jailed only because they were fighting for dignity of people. “We will keep fighting in courts and also in the street.”

MNA Alamgir Khan, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Shaista Khoso and host Lal Chand Malhi were among the others who spoke at the convention.

They strongly criticised government policies “systematic political repression” going on in the country. They vowed to continue their struggle till the release of Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and all other leaders.

Masroor Siyal, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Sareena Khan, Lal Chand Malhi and Amjad Khan Niazir were the other PTI leaders who addressed the convention.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2025