Pakistan opposition launches movement against constitutional amendment

Opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai announced Monday a nationwide movement against the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, vowing to block the measure before it can be tabled in Parliament.

Achakzai, chairman of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ain-e-Pakistan (Movement for Protection of Pakistan's Constitution), told reporters in Islamabad the campaign would launch Monday evening with the slogan "Aise dastoor ko hum nahi mante" (We do not accept such a constitution) — a line from renowned Pakistani poet Habib Jalib's famous resistance poem.

"This is an attack on the very roots of Pakistan," Achakzai said, comparing the situation to "a 9/11 for the country." He vowed the opposition would not allow Parliament to function if the amendment is introduced.

Revealed in social media post

The government has not publicly released the draft amendment's text. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari confirmed November 3 on social media that work was underway on the constitutional package, and sources say a final draft has been prepared. Opposition parties criticize the secretive process and lack of public consultation.

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Raja Nasir Abbas, appearing alongside Achakzai, said the proposed amendment was designed to protect powerful interests rather than citizens. Khokhar said the Constitution should not be tailored to benefit specific personalities, while Abbas accused the government of undermining both Parliament and the judiciary.

The opposition alliance announced a national consultative conference for later this week in Islamabad, inviting lawyers, trade organizations and intellectuals to coordinate resistance efforts.

The movement plans to observe a "black day" following the possible approval of the amendment. Citizens have been asked to wear black armbands while lawyers hold symbolic court protests.