Opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday called on the Government of Pakistan to resolve tensions with Afghanistan through dialogue and understanding.
In a statement, the alliance said a meeting of its leadership had reviewed the overall political and foreign situation and discussed its overall strategy. Led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the meeting included the participation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser; Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Muhammad Zubair, Allama Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi, Sajid Tareen, Zain Shah, Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry.
Emphasizing the need to resolve issues between Islamabad and Kabul through talks, it urged the government to convene a joint sitting of Parliament to take the nation into confidence on regional and security matters. It also criticized what it described as the federal government’s interference in the constitutional process of power transfer in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, claiming this could worsen the province’s fragile security situation.
Further, it slammed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s decision to declare the members of the KP Assembly “independent” ahead of the election, describing it as an undemocratic act that promotes horse-trading and undermines democratic principles.
The alliance also expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorism and unrest in Balochistan and KP and urged security forces to work with provincial governments and citizens to restore stability.
In a rejoinder to the statement, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Senator Irfan Siddiqui said it was “shameful and deeply regrettable in this time of trial.” Criticizing the alliance for not condemning terrorists or their facilitators, he accused it of maligning law enforcement agencies during conflict.
Referring to the alliance describing security institutions as “discredited,” he said this reflected a “shallow mindset” about those who have laid down their lives for the country. He alleged the same provincial government—KP—being asked for consultation had long “nurtured terrorists and turned the province into a safe haven.”