Opposition launches protest against 27th Amendment

Opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan announced a nationwide protest against the proposed 27th constitutional amendment, saying it would not allow Parliament to function until the amendment was withdrawn.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad, designated opposition leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the amendment was an attack on the Constitution, calling it Pakistan’s 9/11. “On a public holiday, an attack was launched on the Constitution – an attack on the very foundations of Pakistan. This is our own 9/11.”

He claimed that “a group of illegitimate leaders took power in Pakistan without elections.” “We are patriots who love this country. I have taken an oath five times to defend the Constitution,” he said, adding that “false propaganda is being spread and the public is being misled.”

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Achakzai, who is also chairman of the alliance, announced that the protest movement would begin immediately. “Our movement begins today. Strengthening individuals will not save Pakistan. We warn everyone: this is an attack on the very foundations of the country,” he said.

He said the alliance would block parliamentary proceedings and mobilize the public. “Parliament will no longer be able to function,” he declared. “If schoolchildren demand their rights, will you open fire on them?… Tonight, at 8:30 p.m., we begin our slogans.” He added that the slogan will be: “Aisay Dastoor Ko Hum Nahin Maante” (We do not accept this constitution).

At the same time, Allama Nasir Abbas and other alliance leaders joined in announcing the campaign, which will include a national consultative conference in Islamabad this week.

“The justice system is being dismantled,” Achakzai said, adding that the delegations would meet with representatives of the bar associations and retired judges. “We will invite professional associations and representatives from all sectors. We urge all public opinion makers to share their views.”

Abbas, who is also the movement’s vice president and head of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, called the amendment an “attack on the Constitution” and urged citizens to mobilize. He specified that the protest movement would begin this evening at 8:30 p.m. across the country.

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He claimed that the country’s mandate was “stolen on February 8”, saying the judiciary and some institutions facilitated electoral manipulation through Form 47. “They snatched the mandate from the PTI and handed over the government to those who had only 17 seats,” he said. “Now they are trying to grant immunity to certain individuals, allowing them to commit oppression, tyranny and even murder without having to be held accountable for life. »

Abbas also criticized the proposed restructuring of the military command, particularly the abolition of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. He said the amendment would give the army chief control over the three services, warning that such concentration of power would “destroy the institutional balance within Pakistan’s defense structure”.

Recalling the Balakot episode of 2019, he said: “When India attacked, the then Army Chief advised restraint, but the Air Chief insisted on responding – and we did. Imagine the consequences if all power was concentrated in the hands of one person. Without checks and balances, even humans turn into pharaohs.”

He warned that the amendment would send a damaging message within the defense establishment. “You are about to destroy the very forces charged with defending Pakistan’s borders. What message are you sending to the Navy and Air Force by placing them under ground forces?” he asked.

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Meanwhile, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, vice-president of the alliance, argued that the current Parliament lacks credibility. “The manner in which this Parliament was created after the February 8 elections and the manner in which election petitions were rejected – followed by constitutional amendments to prevent them from being heard – are all before the nation,” he said.

He claimed that the 26th Amendment was passed “secretly”, alleging that “99 per cent of members were unaware of its contents”, and said the Supreme Court’s rulings on reserved seats had enabled the government to secure a majority.

Khokhar announced that a national consultative conference would be held this week in Islamabad to develop a unified strategy. He said the day after the “fraudulent approval” of the 27th Amendment would be observed as a national day of mourning, with citizens wearing black armbands and lawyers protesting in black attire in front of courts.

Outlining the next steps of the movement, Khokhar said academics, retired judges and intellectuals would be invited to voice their concerns; national gatherings, corner meetings and rallies would follow; and a public awareness committee would be formed to involve civil society, the media and the business community. Articles would also be written for national and international media, and coordination would be established with bar councils and lawyers’ associations.

In conclusion, Khokhar said: “This Constitution is no longer the consensus document of 1973 – it has been transformed into an insurance policy for the continuity and protection of power in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Landhi. The people of Pakistan must now decide whether to reclaim their Constitution or hand it over to those who distorted it.”

In a subsequent statement, the alliance announced that a nationwide “Black Day” would be observed the day after what it called a “fraudulent approval” of the amendment. Citizens will be asked to wear black armbands, while lawyers will wear black ribbons in courts