A coalition of opposition parties, led by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), has announced plans to convene an all-party conference (APC) in Islamabad on July 31. The coalition, which includes the Imran Khan-founded PTI, aims to address issues of state repression and call for the restoration of true democratic representation in Pakistan.
Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), an alliance of several opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has decided to hold an all-party conference (APC) on July 31. The announcement was made by TTAP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai during a press conference in Islamabad.
Khokhar, a former member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), stated that the APC would serve as the first step in the movement to challenge the current political climate. “All those who feel oppressed under the current regime are invited to participate in the APC,” he said. The alliance, according to Khokhar, aims to provide a platform for anyone troubled by state repression, including the media and marginalized communities.
Clarifying the intentions behind the formation of the alliance, TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai emphasized that the coalition was not created for political tactics or theatrics but to restore true democratic representation in the country. Achakzai stressed that the alliance’s main goal is to dismantle the current government through public support and a neutral election commission.
In a direct criticism of the current leadership, Achakzai pointed out that even elected representatives from victorious parties are being denied access to their detained leaders, a situation he called undemocratic. He accused the ruling leadership, particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his party, of using force to impose control, calling it unacceptable.
Religious scholar Allama Nasir Abbas also addressed the media, accusing the political system of undermining democracy. He said that if true democracy existed in Pakistan, controversial decisions regarding reserved seats would not have been made. Abbas further stated that, despite the alliance’s commitment to non-violence, they would not remain silent in the face of injustice. He announced plans for a large-scale protest on August 5, warning that if the government tries to obstruct the demonstration, it will bear the full responsibility for any consequences.
Khokhar also spoke about the dire economic situation, criticizing the government’s inability to address the soaring costs of living. “People’s purchasing power has collapsed, and salaried individuals are struggling to make ends meet,” he lamented. He also pointed to the ongoing sugar scandal, saying, “The scandal is in plain sight, yet nothing has been done. The poor are now forced to buy sugar at Rs200 per kilogram.”
Khokhar condemned the growing suppression of dissent, expressing solidarity with journalists and marginalized communities. “The freedom of the press has been taken away, and today, those who dare to ask questions are made to suffer,” he said. He reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to peaceful protest, declaring that they would continue to take to the streets to demand the rights of the common citizen.
