Opp confab slams 'hybrid fascism'

ISLAMABAD:

Opposition parties on Friday called for the immediate release of former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch, while also demanding the dissolution of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), restoration of constitutional supremacy and an end to "military interference" in democratic and judicial affairs.

The demands were laid out in a joint declaration at the close of the APC organised by Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP), held from July 31 to August 1 in Islamabad.

The venue, initially arranged elsewhere, was abruptly cancelled by the Islamabad administration — a move participants condemned as a blow to the people's constitutional freedoms. The conference was then hosted at the residence of TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.

Another key demand in the declaration was the demand that Parliament be taken into confidence regarding a recent meeting between Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump.

The opposition noted that critical international developments, including the US-Pakistan trade deal, were now being disclosed by foreign leaders, undermining Pakistan's diplomatic credibility.

The participants expressed grave concern over the country's worsening constitutional, political, and economic crisis. They noted widespread public alienation with farmers in distress, the middle class experiencing a 58% decline in purchasing power and youth unemployment exceeding 30%.

The conference condemned what it called ongoing fascism and political victimisation. It rejected the sentences handed down by what it described as "kangaroo courts" against opposition leaders and PTI members and termed July 31 a dark day in the country's democratic history.

The APC said the fascism, political victimisation and sentences showed "the hybrid regime's agenda [is] to eliminate all opposition."

Calling for a new Charter of Democracy, the parties said the constitution, fundamental rights and parliamentary system had severely been undermined.

They called for a national consensus on key principles including constitutional supremacy, rule of law, judicial independence, electoral transparency, resolution of regional grievances, press freedom, protection of women's and minority rights.

The alliance rejected all constitutional amendments that diluted parliamentary authority and demanded the immediate dissolution of SIFC, calling its formation unconstitutional and a violation of the 18th Amendment. It also demanded revocation of a land lease agreement granting 4.8 million acres to the Green Initiative Company.

"This alliance and parties attending the conference declare the establishment of SIFC against the spirit of the 18th amendment and the Constitution and demand that SIFC be dissolved," the declaration read. "The July 8, 2024, agreement between the Presidency and Green Pakistan Initiative is unconstitutional and must be annulled," the statement read, demanding "full provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan."

Participants voiced alarm over rampant corruption and interference in civil and judicial institutions, calling for legal reforms and a truly independent judiciary. They supported six Islamabad High Court judges who had raised concerns about judicial interference and demanded the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment related to judicial appointments.

The declaration rejected the conduct of the 2024 general elections, calling them a disgrace to democracy. It called for a new, impartial election commission established through national consensus and immediate general elections under a neutral caretaker setup, which should be free from intelligence agencies' alleged interference.

Regarding Balochistan, the parties termed its crisis a national wound and demanded the return of local resource control to indigenous people, an end to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, disbandment of illegal militias and urgent support for the University of Balochistan.

They demanded the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and withdrawal of false FIRs against BNP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal and his family.

On Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ex-FATA, the conference supported the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, condemned the CTD's extrajudicial killings, demanded fair representation in the National Finance Commission, withdrawal of appeals against court rulings on unconstitutional regulations and the production of missing persons including, Ali Wazir.

The declaration proposed a South Africa-style Truth and Reconciliation Commission, calling for voluntary admissions of constitutional subversion since 1947. It criticised political parties that had abandoned their past commitment to democratic charters. Any changes to the National Finance Commission Award or violations of the 1991 Water Accord were described as attacks on federal unity.

The alliance condemned the use of political retaliation and called for mutual respect among political actors. It rejected all forms of media censorship and supported journalists facing legal threats or silencing.

Women's rights issues such as honour killings, forced marriages and inheritance denial were highlighted, alongside calls for protections of minority personal laws and prevention of forced conversions.

While supporting peaceful relations with all nations except Israel, it urged the parliament to refer Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza.