Opposition confab calls for fresh, fair polls

ISLAMABAD:

Despite frequent venue cancellations, opposition parties managed to convene and conclude its two-day multi-party conference on Thursday, calling for the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law, fresh "fair" elections, release of political prisoners and an end to what it calls a government crackdown on dissent.

The hurdles to hold the opposition parties' conference faced its first challenge even before the conference could kick off as the organisers had alleged that the local administration of the twin cities didn't allow them to hold the conference until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was over.

The obstacles continued till the end of the conference but the blockage couldn't silence the opposition. On Thursday, the opposition alliance—Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) — proceeded with its grand conference, some opposition members scaled the gates while others forced their way into a local hotel after authorities blocked the event.

Despite being denied venues in the twin cities due to the security arrangements for cricket tournament earlier, the TTAP had vowed to hold the conference, come what may. It finally did and held the event in hotel's reception area.

Earlier, convener of the newly-registered political party, Awam Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Sahibzada Hamid Raza of Sunni Ittehad Council, and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, Salman Akram Raja, the secretary general of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, among others were stopped from entering the venue. Nevertheless, they managed to enter and held the event.

The opposition's two-day gathering, aimed at addressing alleged constitutional breaches, human rights violations and political instability, was marred by accusations that the government pressured the venue administration to revoke permission for its final session. The government side reportedly denied the accusations.

The conference culminated with a declaration outlining a series of demands, including the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law as the sole solution to Pakistan's crises.

The TTAP leaders blamed the February 8 general elections, which they claim were rigged, for the prevailing political, economic and social turmoil.

They further declared the current parliament to be lacking moral, political and legal legitimacy. The other demands included reversal of the amendments allegedly deemed contrary to the Constitution, immediate release of all political prisoners and abolition of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendments which, the opposition leaders argued, are being used to stifle dissent.

The declaration also stressed the urgent need to address grievances related to the distribution of water resources among the federating units under the 1991 Water Accord, warning that a failure to do so could exacerbate instability.

The opposition leaders underscored that Pakistan's recovery hinges on free, transparent and fair elections. They also called for a unified national strategy to stabilise the country and committed to an ongoing struggle until their demands are met.

The opposition vowed to continue its collective political efforts, asserting that only adherence to constitutional principles can steer Pakistan out of its current crisis.

In their speeches, the opposition leaders lashed out at the government and its policies, saying the ruling alliance allegedly lacked public mandate and that is why the country was not progressing.

NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub said that PM Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi should give "duffer award" to the person who suggested to them that the opposition should be denied conference.

Ayub said that the country can't progress by publishing ads in newspapers. He said that the opposition had gathered for the supremacy of the Constitution and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in the country.

Awam Pakistan's Secretary General Miftah Ismail said that it's not politics where only one's family members become premier or hold key positions, saying the government didn't abide by the law and the Constitution and the assembly is flooded with people elected via Form 47.

Ismail, who had served as finance minister during the PML-N government, said that instability will prevail as long as political standoff continues. He questioned the the authorities' move of blocking 100 or more people to discuss key issues in a closed-door room, saying then they ask why people protest.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that different parties kept coming to power with the help of powerful quarters, saying many mistakes were made in the past but let's not fall into the past now and move ahead to address the challenges. Raja said that sanctity of homes was violated, saying this wasn't politics but a matter of decency.

On February 8, he reiterated that the rights of the people were robbed, warning that the government cannot run like this. He urged people to come out, saying if we raise our voices together, there will be no obstacle. He guaranteed that jailed PTI founder Imran Khan will not strike any to come out, saying if he wanted to go abroad then he could have availed the opportunity long ago.

Achakzai said that the prime minister and the interior minister should be booked in connection with November 26 incidents, adding that the security forces should be working in a framework which is being followed all over the world. He urged the political parties to vow that they would stop seeking powerful stakeholders' help for creating space.

Achakzai said that the opposition will make their own assembly whose speaker will be PTI leader Asad Qaiser, saying if the incumbent assembly terminates their membership then they would challenge such decisions before the courts. He said that there will be no talks with the government, saying talks will only be held with the establishment and that too for giving them a safe passage to stop interfering in politics. He said that the only way to save the country was to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution.

PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said that PTI has been facing what the opposition leadership faced while entering the hotel on Thursday. He demanded snap polls, saying the tenure of a government is five years but fresh elections can be held keeping in view the prevailing situation of the country. He urged that it was time to stand on the right side of the history.

Gohar said that Imran Khan believes in public power and that is why he was in jail. He recalled that PTI was not allowed to hold conventions during the general elections. Currently, former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that there was no such thing as a constitution in the country, saying the contract of citizens with the state has been terminated and freedom of expression has been abolished after the PECA amendments.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch said that we must decide that the Constitution must be upheld with all force, adding that we must struggle for the independence of the courts and the democratic force must refuse to become a tool of the establishment.

JUI-F's senator Kamran Murtaza said that the government contributed in making the conference successful by blocking access and denying venues. Reportedly, he clarified that the JUI-F was not a signatory of the opposition parties' declaration as the party only attended the conference as an observer.