Pakistan’s opposition alliance calls for fresh elections, denounces Feb 8 poll results

The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP), a multi-party opposition alliance, on Thursday demanded fresh elections, citing the February 8 polls as rigged and blaming them for the country’s political, economic, and social crises.

The demand was part of a joint declaration issued after a two-day multi-party conference in Islamabad.

The declaration stated that the country’s problems could only be resolved through the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law. It rejected the current parliament’s legitimacy, describing it as lacking moral, political, and legal standing.

The alliance also demanded the reversal of constitutional amendments that violate the spirit of the Constitution and called for the immediate release of political prisoners. It urged the authorities to repeal amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which the alliance said curtail freedom of speech.

The declaration highlighted the need to address grievances over water distribution among provinces under the 1991 Water Accord. It warned that the country’s deteriorating law and order situation could not be controlled without resolving these issues.

Protests over conference restrictions

The conference was marked by protests after police and paramilitary forces barred several opposition leaders, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, from entering the hotel venue. The leaders later forced their way into the premises and proceeded with the event.

Opposition figures accused the government of trying to stifle their voices. “Whoever advised Mohsin Naqvi and Shehbaz Sharif to block this conference should receive the ‘Duffer Award’ on March 23,” said opposition leader Omar Ayub in his speech.

Miftah Ismail of the Awam Pakistan Party said the Constitution represented a social contract among citizens, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja denied any deal involving the party’s founder.

Mehmood Khan Achakzai called for security forces to be brought under civilian control and announced the formation of a parallel assembly if the current one was not dissolved.

Barrister Gohar, PTI chairman, urged political unity to uphold the Constitution, while Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar warned that the country was facing a crisis of constitutional breakdown.

The alliance vowed to continue its struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and the people’s welfare.