Accuses the government of economic mismanagement and corruption while calling on people to join the party’s planned protest
PTI Central Secretary General Salman Akram Raja addresses a press conference. SCREEN GRAB
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Saturday accused the government of corruption, financial mismanagement and political victimization and called on citizens to join the party’s August 5 protest.
Speaking at a press conference, Raja criticized the government’s handling of basic commodities, fuel prices and public spending, while reaffirming the party’s determination to continue what he described as its fight for public rights.
Expressing concern over the agricultural crisis, Raja claimed that between four million and 4.5 million metric tonnes of wheat, potentially rising to five million tonnes, had disappeared due to government negligence and alleged collusion with hoarders.
*Pakistan Movement
The main spokesman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Sheikh Waqas Akram, expressed his concern over the serious wheat crisis in the country, and said that the existing agricultural policies, incompetence, mismanagement and farmers’ hostile decisions have brought Pakistan into the country.
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 25, 2026
“These hoarders enjoy full state protection, while the direct burden falls on the poor,” he said, adding that the current system had launched what he described as a direct attack on public well-being and health.
On fuel prices, Raja rejected the government’s explanation that domestic petrol prices were merely following international trends. He pointed to neighboring countries where he claimed prices had remained stable and criticized the failure to maintain national oil reserves, calling it an example of bad governance.
Read: PTI shifts August 5 rally to highway track
He also claimed that Punjab had provided Rs806 billion to the federation, funds he said were initially meant for health and education, while successive fuel price hikes continued to burden citizens.
Raja also criticized what he described as disparities in the treatment of political leaders in jail, saying PTI founder Imran Khan remained locked up in a small cell for speaking publicly.
He said Imran had been offered a transfer to his residence in Bani Gala but had chosen to remain in prison to maintain his position with the people.
Raja reiterated the party’s plans and urged citizens to peacefully take to the streets on August 5 and raise slogans for freedom. He predicted that a turnout of 10 million people would end the current system.
He said that PTI leader Sohail Afridi was expected to make important announcements regarding the protest strategy on August 5.
Also read: PTI slams fuel price hike, wheat crisis
Raja also announced that the PTI would appeal the dismissal of the case on 26 November, alleging that witnesses had been subjected to manipulation and pressure tactics. He said the party would continue to fight what he described as a political cause on the streets.
He reiterated that PTI leaders remained committed to Imran’s narrative and would continue to demand democracy, transparency and civil liberties.
