TTAP chief questions Pakistan’s Islamic credentials amid allegations of police brutality
TTAP Deputy Chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas addresses the media along with Alliance Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai after arriving in Lahore on Thursday, January 8, 2026. SCREENGRAB
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), strongly criticized the state’s conduct, saying that although Pakistan was described as a “fortress of Islam”, it seemed that Islam itself had been imprisoned in it. Addressing the Aiwan-e-Adl gathering in Lahore on Friday, he condemned violence against women and children and condemned the use of live ammunition against protesters at D-Chowk.
He also rebuked the actions of the police alleging ill-treatment of prisoners and questioned claims that Pakistan is an Islamic state under such circumstances.
Talking about political unity, Achakzai says he has not come to Lahore to abuse other political parties but to stand with the downtrodden. He stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) enjoyed unprecedented public support but its founding leader remains behind bars due to lack of discipline in the party. Political movements required organization and discipline to succeed.
Referring to recent protests, he noted that despite the presence of MNAs and MPAs, no loudspeakers were used, highlighting organizational weaknesses.
Addressing the youth, he appealed for the roads to remain empty on February 8 as a form of peaceful protest, stressing that their movement would remain non-violent and free from abuse or hate speech.
Addressing the gathering, Allama Raja Nasir said that Allah had given people the right to freedom, which was also guaranteed in the constitution of Pakistan, but an oppressive regime had undermined the legal system, people’s right to defense and public mandate through constitutional amendments.
He urged the public to stand against those who usurped freedom and voting rights, stressing that “Hussainiyat” was not a slogan but a principled stand against oppression, adding that the country could not survive without protecting people’s rights.
Read: TTAP convoy reaches Lahore despite police efforts, arrests
Achakzai urged the authorities to admit their mistake and urged them to come forward to protect the constitution. Addressing the Bar Association of Aiwan-e-Adl, Achakzai warned that anyone who violated or opposed the constitution deserved disqualification, declaring that any person who acts against it is what he called “murda baad.”
He concluded by saying that while institutions such as the army and intelligence services were necessary, they must remain within constitutional bounds, and warned that any violation of the constitution would be openly opposed.
He also announced his support for Irfan Hayat Bajwa, the presidential candidate of the Hamid Khan Group, in the Lahore Bar Association elections to be held on January 10.
