Opp bloc to convene multi-party confab

Says govt's failure to show up will result in nationwide demos

ISLAMABAD:

The Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aeen Pakistan (TTAP), which translates into the movement for the protection of the Constitution of Pakistan, has decided to convene an all-parties conference (APC) and urged the government to attend "at all costs".

A committee has been formed under the leadership of Sahibzada Hamid Raza to organise the conference, and it will begin reaching out to political parties from Wednesday.

In the meeting, the location for a rally, scheduled for September 8, was finalised as the Sangjani village of Islamabad, while a strategy was also prepared for the march.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Mahmood Khan Achakzai stated that if the government does not participate in the APC, the movement will launch nationwide protests. He said it was a positive sign that all political parties in Pakistan believed in the supremacy of the Constitution.

Achakzai added it was deemed appropriate to consult the parties and call for a conference in which they were all present. A committee has been formed for this purpose, and will start its work. "If our demands are not met, we will resort to nationwide protests. However, if the government agrees at the APC, protests may not be necessary," he stated.

Asad Qaiser has been tasked with meeting National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Achakzai also mentioned that all parties should decide to remove the "evergreen" families from the political scene. "All the parties involved with us demand the supremacy of the Constitution," he asserted.

Speaking to the media, Asad Qaiser expressed concern over the situation in Balochistan. He stated that members of the movement will meet the speaker to urge action regarding the province, and that an APC should be held on the matter.

He emphasised the need to address the grievances of "our discontented Baloch brothers". He also recalled that he raised the issue of Balochistan on the floor of the National Assembly, but the government showed no interest.

"Akhtar Mengal, disheartened, resigned from the National Assembly, which is unfortunate. If political figures become disheartened, there is no benefit to this parliament. The situation in Balochistan requires serious deliberation."

Qaiser further stated that the rally will take place under any circumstances. PTI leader Latif Khosa said that the tsunami of inflation, unleashed on the public, and the talk of constitutional amendments, are causing grave concern.

"They cannot amend the Constitution because they do not have a two-thirds majority, so they should stop making such statements. The people of Pakistan will show their love for Imran Khan," Khosa said. He added that the need of the hour was to save Pakistan and establish the rule of law.

PTI's Central Information Secretary Raoof Hassan, speaking to the media, said the rally will take place under any circumstances. "Even if the administration tries to create obstacles, we will not stop." He declared that Hamid Raza would lead the rally, and the movement would not stop regardless of the circumstances.

"We will discuss the Balochistan issue at the all-parties conference, and the APC is also being convened to solve other issues. The matter of Akhtar Mengal is very alarming, and his resignation from the Assembly is disappointing."

The PTI central leader continued that they needed to convince the political stalwart from Balochistan to withdraw his resignation. "Another delegation is going to meet Akhtar Mengal. We want all issues of parliament to be resolved within the House."