6 opposition parties launch anti-govt movement in Pakistan

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

An alliance of six opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), has been formed to join hands for launching a movement for the “protection of the Constitution” in a bid to kick up a storm against alleged electoral malpractices in the Feb.8 general elections.

Except the PTI, all the other components of the grouping are small political parties. The alliance has been given the name of ‘Tehrik Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan’ (TTAP) coalition formed early on Saturday after a late-night sitting of opposition party leaders in light of perceived governmental encroachments on constitutional integrity.

They also include Pashtoonkhwa Awami Milli Party (PkMAP), Jamaat-e-Islami and Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM).

“We are determined to put an end to the system of one country, two laws,” PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub said and added that PkMAP chief Mahmood Achakzai has been nominated as president of the six parties’ alliance with the consensus of the leadership of opposition parties. Ayub also disclosed that the first two protest rallies of the alliance will be held in Balochistan.

Achakzai underscored his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the Constitution, asserting that no “compromises would be made on its defence.” The PTI has rallied other parties to put together the alliance. It is crying foul, alleging that the current government snatched its mandate, claiming fiddling with Form 47s to give the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) the upper hand.

An upcoming opposition meeting is slated to deliberate on the potential inclusion of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the grand opposition alliance.

Lamenting the imposition of restrictions, the PTI politician said: “The government of Balochistan has placed check-posts on the way to Pishin.” Omar Ayub, during his address, spoke about the release of his party’s founder Imran Khan and others.

Addressing the gathering, BNP chief Mengal said he doesn’t consider the government formed at the Centre as the government of Pakistan. “This government is Form 47 government. This is the government of the Election Commission,” he said, adding that the country’s mandate was stolen during the Feb.8 general elections.

Mengal, while lamenting the formation of government in Balochistan, said: “In Balochistan, such people were made successful who are not even recognised by the people in their neighbourhood.”