• Achakzai claims people’s mandate stolen during last elections
• TTAP urges withdrawal of Peca, curbs on freedom of expression

ISLAMABAD: The grand opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) has demanded the establishment of a national government to deal with the internal and external pressure, saying the prevailing situation requires national unity.

“The general elections, held on Feb 8, 2024, were rigged, so the incumbent government does not have mandate of the masses and should be dismissed,” alliance chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai told a news conference at the National Press Club on Monday.

Flanked by Asad Qaiser, Sardar Latif Khosa, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Aliya Hamza and others, the TTAP chief shared a 16-point agenda with public.

He said that it was unfortunate that the mandate of the people was stolen during the last elections.

While sharing some of the important demands, Mr Achakzai said that the government should be dismissed without any delay, fresh elections be held, issues with Afghanistan be settled through negotiations, a truth and reconciliation commission be established to address mistakes of the past and rights of minorities be protected.

He said it was time for national unity and all political parties should be included in the national government.

He further said that the situation requires a perception that the whole nation was united.

Mr Achakzai claimed that he and other opposition leaders had time and again warned that the region can become a battleground.

Replying to questions, he said that all forms of terrorism were condemnable and he never supported it. Quoting the Holy Quran, he said that justice should be done even with the enemies. He also said that the Peca Act be withdrawn and there should not be restrictions on freedom of expression.

The TTAP chief suggested that the government should reduce its expenditure so that relief be provided to the masses.

He also said that the letter written by the judges of Islamabad High Court should be taken seriously and transfer/postings be withdrawn. He urged the decision-makers to address the issue of missing persons.

According to the 16-point agenda, the SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council) was an attack on provincial autonomy and the policy of slowing of internet should be abolished.

PTI parliamentary party meeting

Meanwhile, the PTI’s parliamentary party demanded that a multi-party conference be held and party founder Imran Khan be invited to it.

The demand was made during a meeting chaired by Zartaj Gul Wazir and attended by Omar Ayub Khan, Barrister Gohar, Shibli Faraz, Malik Amir Dogar, Hamid Raza and others.

The participants of the huddle were of the view that differences were increasing between the masses and the judiciary.

They also condemned the false flag operation in India and claimed that Pakistan has nothing to do with it. They strongly condemned the social media campaign against the parliamentarians.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2025