The Grand Alliance Conference convened by the multi-party opposition Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance on Thursday concluded with calls for a national dialogue aimed at ending political instability and steering the country toward prosperity.
In a joint declaration issued after the two-day summit, the opposition parties emphasized the need for a joint strategy to stabilize the country. Emphasizing that the country’s problems required the restoration of rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution, they reiterated allegations of massive rigging in the Feb. 8 general elections. The “flawed” polls, they claimed, were primarily responsible for the ongoing economic, political and social crises facing the country.
“Current Parliament has no moral, political and legal standing,” read the statement, demanding that all amendments—a reference to the 26th Amendment—that contradicted the spirit of the Constitution should be repealed. The declaration further described the “rampant violation of constitutional and human rights” as a complete violation of the rule of law.
“The Constitution does not allow any Pakistani citizen to be harassed or arrested for any political activity,” it read, demanding the government release all “political prisoners.” It also slammed controversial amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, declaring them an attack on freedom of expression.
The joint declaration also called for equitable distribution of water resources as per the 1991 accord and concluded with a demand for fresh elections.
Opposition leaders
Earlier, during the conference, Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza slammed the government’s attempts to prevent the even from proceeding. Nonetheless, he noted, they had overcome all barriers to continue raising their voices for constitutional supremacy.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, meanwhile, said the conference had succeeded in its goals. Noting the opposition had considered organizing it at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House, he said it was agreed that this would not reflect the national nature of the conference.
Former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar criticized the government for suppressing dissent and restricting political freedoms, adding all attempts of the same would be resisted. He also called for the resignation of all those who had supported the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.
Khokhar urged the government to address the concerns of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sindh, and Balochistan.
Leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) also addressed the conference, JUIF’s Kamran Murtaza, however, voiced caution, stressing that the party did not wish to indulge in a process that would only see it lose more seats in elections.