Opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday rejected the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments, announcing protests against the legislations on Monday (Nov. 17) and Friday (Nov. 21).
In a meeting chaired by TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the opposition alliance decided that MNAs and senator would march from Parliament House to the Supreme Court on Monday, while lawmakers of the Punjab Assembly would march from it to the Lahore High Court. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in government, lawmakers would table a resolution against the 27th Amendment.
On Friday, said the alliance, a nationwide “Black Day” would be observed to protest the amendments.
The meeting dubbed the 26th and 27th Amendments violations of the Constitution’s basic structure and demanded its restoration to its original form. “Amendments undermine the fundamental framework of the Constitution and must be reversed immediately,” it declared, criticizing the incumbent government and expressing support for Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah, who tendered their resignations in protest.
The 27th Amendment, signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari earlier this week, introduces significant changes to the judicial structure and military command, establishing a Federal Constitutional Court and creating the post of Chief of the Defense Forces, which would be a dual position held by the Chief of Army Staff.
During its meeting, the TTAP unanimously backed a declaration issued by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Peace Jirga and reiterated its call for the immediate release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra, and other political prisoners.
TTAP Secretary General Asad Qaiser, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Awaam Pakistan convener Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Balochistan National Party chief Akhtar Mengal and Sajid Tareen, Sindh United Party’s Zain Shah, TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and other opposition leaders participated in the meeting.