Islamabad:
Opposition leaders urged all political parties to join constitutional norms for relations between parties, asking for a new democratic framework, systemic reforms and the end of political victimization and institutional overreach.
A conference of all parties (APC), organized by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin-E-Pakistan (TTAP), was housed in the residence of former Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar in Islamabad at the invitation of Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The conference brought together the leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI), the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami (PKMAP) party, former senators, legal experts and civil society groups.
Issuing a wide range manifesto, the APC demanded the dissolution of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and amendment 26, the immediate release of the political detainees, the lifting of the restrictions of the media and the derivation of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhu to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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When reading the joint statement, Khokha condemned “growing authoritarian practices” and demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, with accelerated hearings in the Superior Court of Islamabad and the Supreme Court.
He described the judgment of dozens of PTI activists and opposition legislators a day before as a “black day” in democratic history, stating that “the hybrid regime wants the complete elimination of the opposition in the country.”
The delegates also requested the creation of a new “letter of democracy” that reaffirms the supremacy of the 1973 Constitution, the rule of law, judicial independence and the establishment of an impartial and autonomous electoral commission.
A statement warned: “As a result of successive assaults by the hybrid regime, the Constitution of Pakistan, which includes fundamental rights in articles 8 to 18, and the parliamentary democratic system has become meaningless.”
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The conference also demanded the abolition of SFC, describing it unconstitutionally and in violation of the 18th amendment. “SIFC is contrary to the spirit of amendment 18 and the Constitution. We demand its dissolution and cancellation of plans to transfer millions of land acres, acquired in the name of corporate agriculture, to the company of green initiatives.”
Criticizing the civil interference -military, the APC accused federal and defense institutions of undermining civil agencies, eroding public trust in the application of the law and the justice system. Demanded immediate reforms and restoration of trust in the Judiciary.
When addressing judicial independence, the resolution declared: “After the 26th constitutional amendment, judicial independence has been reduced to slogan and is effectively non -existent in Pakistan.
To reverse this, the conference requested the total repeal of the amendment, ending all interference and establishing an impartial system for judicial appointments. “To restore the holiness of the Judiciary … the complete repeal of the 26th constitutional amendment is necessary,” he said.
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On provincial autonomy, the APC demanded that mineral resources in Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan remain under local control, declaring any legislation or contract made without the provincial consent as null and null.
The statement also demanded the release of missing persons in Baluchistan and K -P through appearances in court, the immediate dissolution of illegal private militias that supposedly have a support of the establishment and the release of political prisoners. He insisted on constitutional right to fair trials.
In addition, he requested the elimination of the restrictions on the pilgrims (Zaireen) of Baluchistan who addresses Iran and Iraq, which promotes a violation of religious and human rights, and demanded a greater local participation in the management of border areas adjacent to Iran and Afghanistan.
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Promoting transition justice, the APC proposed a Truth and Reconciliation Commission modeled in South Africa, declaring: “each institution or individual who, from the Pakistan’s foundation until today, has played any role against democracy, the rights of the people or the Constitution must appear voluntarily before this commission and confess their crimes and errors.”
The resolution emphasized the promotion of democratic culture and consultation between parties to stop political victimization.
With a concern about the socioeconomic situation of Pakistan, the APC stressed that about 45 percent of Pakistani live below the poverty line, salaried purchasing power has decreased by 58 percent, general unemployment is 22 percent and youth unemployment exceeds 30 percent.
Finally, the opposition urged the K -P government to comply with the verdict of the Superior Court of Peshawar in the Fata -TOF regulation and to withdraw its appeal in the Supreme Court.
