Latest news with #TehreekTahafuzAyeen-e-Pakistan
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Unity government: Achakzai offers to hold talks with PM
ISLAMABAD: Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), on Thursday offered to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the formation of a 'unity government' amid what he described as a deepening political and constitutional crisis in the country. Speaking at a presser, Achakzai said that he was prepared to engage with the prime minister solely on the issue of forming a national unity government to steer the country out of the prevalent economic and political crisis. 'Talks with this government are not possible except on the issue of forming a national government. This is not the time to hurl insults at each other as we need unity right now,' he declared. His remarks come days after the Supreme Court, in a 7-5 majority ruling, accepted review petitions that stripped Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its entitlement to seats reserved for women and minorities in both national and provincial assemblies. The decision led to the reallocation of nearly 80 seats to other parliamentary parties. Achakzai criticised the apex court's verdict, describing it as a sign of the broader erosion of democratic values in the country. 'Political parties have begged for seats instead of upholding democratic principles,' he lamented. He accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the judiciary of undermining the 2024 general elections, alleging these institutions manipulated the process to disadvantage PTI. Achakzai said the party's electoral symbol was unjustly revoked and condemned the treatment of its lawmakers and supporters. 'We may have differences with Imran Khan, but the treatment meted out to his party is unjust,' he said, adding that PTI lawmakers and their families were barred from visiting detained members outside Adiala Jail. Recalling the arrests of opposition lawmakers within the premises of parliament last year, Achakzai accused the National Assembly Speaker of bias, accusing him of remaining a silent spectator while such actions took place. He criticised the Speaker's assertion that spy agencies have the authority to tap anyone's calls, describing his silence on the issue as criminal negligence. He urged the Speaker to either fulfil his responsibilities as custodian of the House or consider stepping down. On foreign policy, he denounced Israeli actions in Gaza and called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be declared a global terrorist for the killing of Palestinians. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Opp accuses govt of muzzling confab
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".
