• Seeks formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission to punish violators of Constitution
• Calls on all parties to hold grand dialogue
• Dissolution of SIFC, independent ECP also among demands

ISLAMABAD: In a joint declaration, an opposition multiparty conference (MPC) on Friday demanded the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to “bring the facts before the nation” and violators of the constitution, harmed democracy and usurped the rights of the people must be made accountable.

The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance also called for a grand dialogue between all political parties and a new charter of democracy between them, while seeking abolition of the ‘hybrid system’.

It also demanded the release of missing persons and equal distribution of resources among all units of the federation.

“We want formation of TRC on the pattern of South Africa and those judges, generals and politicians who had ever violated the constitution, harmed democracy and usurped the rights of people should present themselves voluntarily before the commission,” said Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar in a joint press conference alongside other opposition leaders, while reading out the joint declaration.

The social contract had been weakened, he said, adding that the rulers were in favour of the TRC when they were in the opposition but doing nothing in this regard after coming into the power.

This alliance wants that any judge, general or politician who has played a role against democracy and the people, should voluntarity appear before the commission and admit their wrongdoings, Mr Khokhar said.

The parties also demanded distribution of water resources among the federating units in accordance with 1991 Accord. “No new canal project should be started without national consensus. If started it should be stop forthwith,” he added.

On Thursday, the first day of the conference, the TTAP appea­led for a new social contract to restore the Constitution and democracy, and claimed that government officials had blocked access to their original venue in Islamabad, forcing them to relocate.

The TTAP said that political consensus was needed on the following aspects: supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament, rule of law, independence of the judiciary, appointment of a free and independent Election Commi­ssion and fair elections, border management, the situation in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtun­khwa and the former tribal areas, inter-provincial relations and water distribution, inter-relations of political parties and investigation of all illegal administrative actions, freedom of the media, rights of women and minorities and international relations. The alliance also demanded dissolution of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), alleging it was ‘unconstitutional’ and against the spirit of the 18th Amendment. The leasing of 4.8 million acres of provincial land to the Green Initiative Company must be immediately revoked, Mr Khokhar asserted.

The opposition parties demanded that legal reforms and safeguards against undue interference were urgently needed to restore the rule of law. They said 26th Amendment must be repealed, and an impartial system for judicial appointments established.

They said the ECP must be restructured in a way that reflects the global best practices, ensuring consensus among all parties and public confidence in its impartiality. They said last year’s general elections was a ‘disgrace to democracy’.

The parties called Balochistan’s plight a national wound requiring immediate healing and demanded locals must have first and foremost share in the ownership of resources. They also called for production of missing persons before courts, disbandment of illegal private militias, end to extrajudicial killings and ensure fair trials, release of political detainees, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, immediate reversal of the ban on religious pilgrims traveling through Balochistan, border trade must respect local communities’ rights and reinvigorate historic trade routes. Recalling that the region remained a victim of militarisation for decades, the opposition parties supported peaceful efforts like the PTM, demanded withdrawal of the federal appeal against the Peshawar High Court ruling that had declared the “Actions in Aid of Civil Power” regulation unconstitutional.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2025