In a powerful show of unity, multiple opposition parties, legal experts, and media representatives came together at a two-day multi-party opposition conference held under the banner of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), calling for urgent reforms to protect Pakistan’s democracy and Constitution.
Addressing the media after the conference on Friday, senior politician Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar warned that Pakistan’s political space is shrinking at an alarming rate. He accused the government of systematically suppressing dissent by blocking opposition rallies and cracking down on freedom of speech. “The opposition is being deliberately cornered,” Khokhar said, adding that the right to peaceful assembly is being undermined.
The conference issued a joint declaration demanding a fresh Charter of Democracy, aimed at restoring constitutional order, civil liberties, and fair political representation. Khokhar emphasised that Pakistan is witnessing growing economic despair, with 45% of the population living below the poverty line and unemployment reaching 20%, forcing business owners to seek opportunities abroad.
One of the most notable demands was the immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, along with a call for their pending cases to be heard by the Islamabad High Court without further delay.
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Participants of the multi-party opposition conference condemned what they described as “rising fascism and political revenge” and denounced court decisions against opposition leaders in both the National Assembly and Senate as politically motivated.
Among the key proposals was the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address historical injustices and foster national unity. The declaration also stressed the importance of restoring media freedom, ensuring women's rights, and prioritising access to education in any future democratic framework.
The conference further demanded a reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, restitution of provincial autonomy, and a more transparent process for judicial appointments. The six judges who earlier spoke out against interference in the judiciary were hailed as national heroes.
Rejecting the results of the 2024 general elections, the participants called for the establishment of an independent and empowered Election Commission, capable of conducting fair and transparent polls.
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Regionally, the conference voiced strong support for Balochistan’s people, demanding that missing persons be produced in court and that the province’s resources be protected for its own residents. They also urged the government to reopen traditional cross-border trade routes and restore the KP High Court’s decision on the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations.
Highlighting environmental and constitutional concerns, the declaration called for proper implementation of the 1993 water accord and rejected canal projects threatening the Indus Delta. A bold proposal was made for electing Senate members through direct public vote and giving them powers equal to National Assembly legislators.
Furthermore, the APC demanded full constitutional status for Gilgit-Baltistan and a reset in inter-party working relations to ensure long-term political stability.
The gathering did not shy away from global issues either. It urged the Pakistani government to label the Israeli Prime Minister a war criminal and push for his prosecution at the International Court of Justice.
