KARACHI: A multiparty conference, organised by the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday, adopted a 14-point resolution presenting demands such as an ‘independent probe’ into the alleged rigging in 2024 elections and ‘punishment for those responsible for it’ under Article 6 that deals with high treason.
They also announced that a black day and a nationwide strike would be observed on Feb 8 to commemorate the second anniversary of the ‘rigged’ general elections, urging people to hold peaceful protest rallies and calling on transporters and traders to close their businesses.
As part of their charter, they also demanded the holding of ‘free and fair polls’ as well as the release of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and other political leaders who were in jail over what they termed “bogus cases”.
The MPC, titled ‘Pakistan’s Political Plight: Challenges, Consensus and the Way Forward’, was held at the Karachi Press Club, in which, apart from the TTAP leadership, heads of nationalist parties in Sindh and members of civil society, including professors and lawyers, also participated.
The TTAP delegation, led by its chairman and the newly appointed opposition leader in the National Assembly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, has arrived in Sindh for four days.
The visit is part of the mobilisation efforts for the nationwide ‘street movement’ called by the PTI for Feb 8 — now a protest announced by the entire alliance.
‘Free and fair polls’
At the event, the MPC demanded transparent elections, stating that public confidence in democracy could only be restored through “free and fair polls”.
It called for the immediate appointment of a “neutral” chief election commissioner, an independent probe into the alleged “massive rigging” in the Feb 8, 2024 elections, “identification of those responsible”, and their “punishment under Article 6 of the Constitution”.
The MPC also called for the release of all political prisoners, including PTI leaders and supporters, as well as Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detainees belonging to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.
The conference urged that restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder be lifted and that “bogus” cases against Grand Democratic Alliance leader Murtaza Jatoi and the chief of the Sindh United Party, Syed Zain Shah, be withdrawn. The participants also expressed their support for journalists, lawyers and Dawn, condemning what it described as the government’s economic exploitation to suppress dissenting voices and curtail media freedom.
It also called for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), terming it a “black law”.
The MPC condemned the “ongoing practice of enforced disappearances” across the country and demanded that the military operation in Tirah Valley be halted. It also called on the federal government to take provincial governments into confidence on all matters and said issues with Afghanistan should be resolved through “diplomacy”.
Middle East
While expressing concern over recent developments in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Gaza, the MPC called on the government to convene an emergency meeting of regional states and a joint session of parliament.
In the resolution, it also rejected alleged proposals to increase the voter age from 18 to 25 years, describing the move as an attack on youth democratic rights.
The MPC also condemned what it called “sustained attacks on judicial independence”. It alleged that the “26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments were used to weaken the judiciary through pressure and arbitrary transfers”.
Regarding provincial autonomy, the resolution stated that provinces had the first right over their minerals and natural resources, and that international agreements without public consent were “unconstitutional”.
It emphasised adherence to the 1991 Water Accord and rejected projects obstructing the natural flow of rivers.
‘Respect for all’
Meanwhile, in his address to the conference, opposition leader Achakzai stressed that Pakistan could only be strengthened through respect for all “nationalities, cultures and religions”, adding that the federation could not be stable without granting provinces their constitutional rights and control over resources.
Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said that the mandate was “stolen” in the Feb 8, 2024 elections, adding that the PTI founder had been jailed for over two years in “bogus cases but remained steadfast”.
Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said that standing against oppression was the duty of every Pakistani. He added that the Constitution reflected people’s aspirations, but institutions such as the judiciary, parliament and media were under pressure.
Syed Zain Shah said the country was facing a severe political, economic and constitutional crisis as parliament had become a rubber stamp, while media and judicial freedoms had been curtailed. He added that conditions in Sindh were deteriorating day by day.
Former minister Miftah Ismail, former governor Mohammad Zubair Umar, Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, senior lawyer Aamir Nawaz Warraich and leaders of nationalist parties in Sindh also spoke at the conference.
It was observed on Sunday that roads leading to the Karachi Press Club were blocked with buses, while police personnel were deployed in the surrounding areas.
Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2026