Opp accuses govt of muzzling confab

Express Tribune

27-02-2025

The grand opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), on Wednesday accused the government of pulling the strings behind the scenes to pressure a hotel into revoking permission for the second day of its national conference.
Nevertheless, opposition leaders vowed to go ahead with the event, calling the move a desperate attempt to stifle debate.
The two-day conference, held at a hotel, brought together opposition leaders to discuss national issues and the prevailing political climate. The meeting was attended by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, SIC Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Awam Pakistan's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, MWM's Nasir Shirazi and others.
Addressing a news conference alongside other opposition leaders, former prime minister and Awaam Pakistan party president Shahid Khaqan Abbasi blasted the government's actions.
"There was nothing against the state or any talk of incitement and only discussions on the Constitution and the rule of law were held. But this government is so afraid of even the mention of the Constitution that it couldn't tolerate a single conference."
He alleged that authorities had pressured the hotel administration, warning them of hefty fines and potential closure if the event continued. Despite the conference being held behind closed doors with only a few hundred participants, the government still sought to shut it down.
"The hotel administration expressed its helplessness, telling us they were being threatened. We had booked the venue for two days, and this is a national conference on the country's issues. If they were pressured, we asked them to provide written proof," Abbasi said.
Calling the government's actions a "sign of failure and weakness," he stressed that the conference would continue as planned. He also took a swipe at the PML-N, pointing out that while the government was spending "billions on advertisements," it was afraid of a single discussion on constitutional matters.
"This government is made up of two parties that have ruled for 50 years. We were once part of them. But today, those who once championed democracy are scared of it," he said, calling the coalition's rule a "lust for power" with no real concern for national issues.
Opposition leader Omar Ayub also slammed the government, calling the situation a clear attempt to suppress democratic discourse.
"We are talking about strengthening the country, yet the hotel administration told us they were under pressure. When we asked from whom, they said, 'You are wise enough to understand.'"
Ayub sarcastically suggested that the pressure could be coming from "Gog and Magog, angels, or intelligence officials," but left no doubt about where the orders were coming from.
He warned that if the government continued to obstruct the conference, he would "directly knock on the chief justice of Pakistan's door as the opposition leader".
He recalled that opposition leaders had recently met the top judge to highlight the "lack of rule of law in the country," adding that the authorities' attempts to block the conference were proof of this.
TTAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai reaffirmed the alliance's commitment, vowing to continue "this sacred battle" against unconstitutional forces. He said that TTAP was "a natural and organic alliance," unlike previous political coalitions.
During the conference's earlier session, Abbasi accused the ruling coalition of betraying their past commitments to democracy.
"These are the same people who used to say exactly what I am saying today. For years, they spoke of democracy and the rule of law. But today, they are the ones dismantling the judiciary, suppressing free speech, and fueling political anarchy," he said.
He warned that when political leaders "sell their conscience" and abandon their principles, governance collapses. He also denounced the recently introduced Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 (Peca), suggesting it was part of a broader strategy to stifle free expression.
"Now, even talking about the Constitution is forbidden. Laws are being made to silence voices and weaken the judiciary," he lamented.
Abbasi urged the public to raise their voices for constitutional supremacy and democratic integrity. "This is an open forum, and defending democracy is everyone's responsibility," he asserted.
Despite political differences, he said all opposition parties stood united in their commitment to "the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, and judicial independence".