Opposition decries 27th Bill as ‘another 9/11’

ISLAMABAD:

The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday denounced the 27th Amendment as an “assault on the Constitution” and “Pakistan’s 9/11”, as the opposition alliance announced the launch of a nationwide protest campaign to resist “the direct attack on the state’s foundations”. 

At a joint press conference in Islamabad, the alliance’s leaders, including nominated opposition leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, nominated opposition leader in the Senate Allama Nasir Abbas, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and others, also declared that they would not allow Parliament to function until the amendment was withdrawn.

Achakzai, who heads the alliance, likened the move to a national tragedy. “On a holiday, an assault has been launched on the Constitution. This is Pakistan’s 9/11,” he said. 
“We came here knowingly and willingly. A wretched cabal has seized power without elections.” “We are patriots. I have taken an oath five times to defend this Constitution. False propaganda is being spread to mislead the public,” he added.

Achakzai called for immediate mobilisation and announced the beginning of a mass movement from Sunday night. “This attack on the country’s foundation will not be tolerated. The strength of an individual will not save Pakistan,” he said. 

“Parliament will not be allowed to run. When schoolchildren rise for their rights, will you fire bullets at them? You fired at Tehreek-e-Labbaik [Pakistan] workers … why?”
He asserted that the first slogan of the movement would be raised at 8:30 pm: “Aisay Dastoor Ko Hum Nahin Maante” (“We reject such a constitution”). 

“Our campaign begins tonight. We have no personal enmity with anyone,” he said, adding that the incarcerated PTI supremo Imran Khan’s supporters had also called for a movement. 

In a statement issued later, the TTAP announced that a national consultative conference would be convened in Islamabad this week, inviting representatives from all sectors of society. 

The statement said that a Black Day would be observed across the country the day after the “fake approval” of the 27th Amendment.

“People will wear black armbands, and lawyers will don black ribbons in courtrooms to register their protest,” the communique stated. It added that “we expect conscientious judges to voice their concerns,” while calling for a “new social contract” for Pakistan.

The alliance also announced plans to form committees to build public opinion, engage trade organisations, and consult with members of the legal fraternity. “The judicial system is being dismantled. Lawyers will play a key role in this movement,” it said. 

The statement further added that delegations would meet retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts to discuss the implications of the amendment.