Opposition unites against governor's rule in K-P
Opposition parties on Friday vowed a joint struggle against the imposition of governor's rule and emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), demanding constitutional supremacy, parliamentary sovereignty and free and fair elections, while keeping open the option of resigning from the assemblies.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai said he would contact opposition parties and convene an all-parties conference (APC).
He said the option of resigning from the assemblies remained open, but stressed that the opposition favoured a peaceful, constitutional struggle and was ready for talks.
Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar High Court, Achakzai said he had come to express solidarity with the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that the federal government had acted unconstitutionally by removing the elected provincial government.
He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had won seats in the elections but the government had been handed to another party. He also cited the disqualification of lawmakers and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Achakzai said no one should be prevented from meeting a prisoner and alleged that PTI founder Imran Khan was being pressured into an agreement.
He said former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto had faced similar treatment in the past, adding that the same was happening under the current governments led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
He questioned the whereabouts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and said information about him should be made public. He also expressed concern over reports that provincial ministers, lawmakers and party workers had gone missing.
"This is not the time to remain silent but to stand up for the people's rights and constitutional protection," Achakzai said. "We will neither throw stones at anyone nor resort to violence. We will pursue a peaceful struggle."
He said the opposition was willing to negotiate if the government was serious about dialogue. Policies should be made in parliament, he added, and all institutions should operate within their constitutional limits.
Achakzai said the opposition had set out its demands in response to the government's offer of talks. These included upholding the Constitution, withdrawing controversial amendments, restoring parliament's role as the principal centre of decision-making and establishing an independent commission to ensure free and fair elections.
The country's problems could not be resolved unless parliament became the primary forum for decision-making, he said, adding that contacts with opposition parties were under way and all would be invited to the proposed APC.
On provincial rights, Achakzai said the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had the first claim to the province's mineral resources. He called for unity across political lines to protect the country and safeguard public rights.
He also cited the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying decisions of national importance should be made through constitutional and democratic procedures.
Akhtar Mengal, head of the Balochistan National Party, criticised those who claimed to be the architects of the Constitution while, he said, violating its provisions.
He alleged that the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa amounted to blaming the entire province for terrorism. Counterterrorism operations had also been under way in Balochistan for years, he said, but insecurity continued to affect the province.
Mengal questioned whether such measures could resolve the country's problems. He also alleged that the elected chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had been taken away and cited reports concerning the whereabouts of the provincial assembly speaker and ministers.
He said people elected through what he called "Form 47" were occupying the assemblies and argued that such a system could not endure.
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, opposition leader in the Senate, said lawlessness had worsened and accused the government of taking control of a province because it could not manage the existing system. Government ministers had themselves acknowledged the system's failure, he said.
He alleged that those who had stolen the public mandate were seeking to silence dissent and protests. Citing rising poverty, he said remaining silent about the country's situation was inconsistent with patriotism. He pledged to continue his struggle regardless of the circumstances.