Opposition convenes Grand Alliance Conference amid ‘quagmire of instability’

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties of the country are holding a Grand Alliance Conference in Islamabad against the ruling coalition to address prevailing challenges which it says have become a “quagmire of instability”.

The development comes after opposition leaders announced going ahead with the event following an emergency huddle at Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s residence.

The meeting was attached by Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Sunni Ittehad Council (Sic) Chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Awam Pakistan’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Majlis Wahdat-E-MUUUSLIMEEN’s (MWM) Nasir Shirazi and Others.

“We will hold these illegitimate rulers accountable in every street. We do not accept this illegitimate assembly,” said Achakzai while expressing a lack of trust in the legislature.

The convergence of opposition parties comes against the backdrop of now-stalled negotiations between the PTI and the ruling coalition which failed to produce much results despite multiple rounds of talks.

The Imran Khan-founded party, since then, has engaged in a contact drive — initiated in light of ex-PM’s directives — with the TTAP leaders also visiting Sindh to meet the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) with the two sides agreeing to work together for the supremacy of the Constitution and independence of the judiciary and parliament in the country.

The two sides also agreed to form committees as the next step in working together to achieve a common agenda.

The statement issued by the opposition huddle accentuates the existence of severe crises resulting in a quagmire of instability.

“The history of Pakistan is witness that the country has been suffering from severe crises over time. Initially, we tried to lay the foundation of a developing, prosperous and democratic state, but conspiracies, interference of undemocratic forces, weak political system, corruption and institutional conflicts have pushed the country into a quagmire of instability,” read the statement.

Noting that the 2024 elections raised questions about the democratic process, and trampled the mandate of the people, the statement further said that the country was at a crossroads where it has become impossible to move forward, and every passing day is increasing disappointment and uncertainty among the people.

‘Right to govern in this country’

Addressing the forum, TTAP chief Achakzai emphasised the fundamental human desire to participate in governance.

He said that the benefits of independence had not trickled down to the grassroots level, leaving many citizens deprived of their due share in decision-making.

Achakzai expressed his concern that people in Pakistan had not been made stakeholders in governance. He lamented that demanding one’s rights often results in baseless accusations.

Highlighting his own experiences, Achakzai said: “We have been imprisoned countless times, yet we have never stood against Pakistan”.

He recalled that even when his father was in prison, he continued to sing the national anthem with pride.

Reflecting on his parliamentary journey, he mentioned that upon taking the oath as an MNA in 1993, he questioned whether it was merely a formality. “The speaker at the time assured me that it was not,” he added.

Achakzai also criticised the handling of the February 8 elections, describing it as an unprecedented violation of constitutional principles.

He asserted: “We seek the right to govern in this country, and that right can only be achieved through the supremacy of the Constitution”.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of remembering those whose sacrifices had paved the way for political power.

“Those who attain power through the sacrifices of martyrs and the struggles of political workers must never be forgotten,” he concluded.

‘Abandonment of principles’

Meanwhile, speaking at the conference, Awam Pakistan’s Abbasi said that the government was so fearful today that even a conference to discuss the Constitution could not take place.

Expanding on the symposium’s agenda, the ex-PM noted that it would focus on the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

He further criticised his — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar’s former party — Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — for imposing restrictions on the conference.

Abbasi questioned why the authorities had failed to end political instability in the country. “When political parties abandon their principles, nations cannot function,” he remarked.

He condemned the introduction of laws aimed at suppressing voices and expressed concern over the state of justice in the country. “It is unfortunate that even speaking out has become difficult,” he added.

The politician warned that without democracy and respect for public opinion, the country would not be able to progress.

Media suppression

For his part, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt said that all political parties suppress the media’s voice once they come to power.

He urged Achakzai to obtain a sworn statement from political leaders, ensuring they would not repeat past mistakes.

Butt recalled that when journalists camped in protest against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) law, both now-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his ally Bilawal Bhutto joined them in solidarity.

“These rulers had previously stated that Peca should not be approved, but once in power, they (passed the same),” he added.

He also criticised a former prime minister for terming the court’s decision against media restrictions on a convicted individual as a foreign conspiracy.

Speaking during the conference, senior journalist and anchor Asma Sherazi said the opposition should also identify those within its ranks who spread fake news.

She said that individuals within political parties responsible for spreading fake news serve as facilitators of draconian laws like Peca.

“Freedom of expression has never been suppressed in the past, nor will it be in the future,” she asserted.

Sherazi criticised the opposition for labelling Peca a black law while making media suppression its first priority upon coming to power.