A multi-party conference organized by the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance on Friday called for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra, as well as an end to “military interference” in democratic and judicial matters.
“The opposition is being deliberately cornered and denied political space,” claimed Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar during a press conference at the end of the two-day multi-party conference. He claimed the state was denying the constitutional right to assembly by obstructing opposition gatherings, noting the state of the country’s economy, as 45% of the population lives below the poverty line and unemployment stands at 20%.
Reading a joint declaration devised during the conference, he demanded the release of Khan and Bushra and the fixation of their cases before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He also condemned recent convictions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in May 9 cases, describing them as “politically motivated.”
The declaration claimed Pakistan’s democratic system and human rights lay in ruins and called for a new charter of democracy among all political forces, as well as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to ensure media freedom, women’s rights, and education reforms.
The forum urged the center to return usurped provincial rights, reverse the 26th Amendment, and introduce a transparent system for judicial appointments. It described as “national heroes” the six IHC judges who wrote letters alleging interference in the judiciary.
The TTAP moot rejected the results of the 2024 general election results and demanded an independent and empowered Election Commission. It further called the recovery of all missing persons from Balochistan, as well as the release of detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders such as Mahrang Baloch. It also demanded empowerment of civilian institutions to maintain law and order in the province and an end to restrictions—imposed for security reasons—on religious pilgrims traveling to Iran by road.
The declaration said traditional cross-border trade routes should be reopened, water distribution governed as per the 1993 accord, and the election of senators by public vote. It said Gilgit-Baltistan should become a full constitutional province and demanded an end to Jirga-imposed injustices against women.
The forum also called for declaring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an international war criminal and seeking his prosecution at the International Court of Justice.
The alliance further rejected all constitutional amendments that diluted parliamentary authority and demanded the immediate dissolution of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of the 18th Amendment. It also demanded revocation of a land lease agreement granting 4.8 million acres to the Green Initiative Company.