ISLAMABAD:
The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday denounced the 27th Amendment as an “attack on the Constitution” and “9/11 Pakistan”, as the opposition alliance announced the launch of a nationwide protest campaign to resist the “direct attack on the foundations of the state”.
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, alliance leaders, including National Assembly-designated Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Senate-nominated Opposition Leader Allama Nasir Abbas, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and others, also said they would not allow Parliament to function until the amendment was withdrawn.
Achakzai, who heads the alliance, likened the decision to a national tragedy. “On a public holiday, an assault was launched on the Constitution. It’s September 11 in Pakistan,” he said.
“We came here knowingly and willingly. A miserable cabal took power without elections.” “We are patriots. I have taken an oath five times to defend this Constitution. False propaganda is being spread to mislead the public,” he added.
Achakzai called for immediate mobilization and announced the start of a mass movement starting Sunday evening. “This attack on the foundations of the country will not be tolerated. The strength of one individual will not save Pakistan,” he said.
“Parliament will not be allowed to attend. When schoolchildren stand up for their rights, will you shoot them? You shot Tehreek-e-Labbaik [Pakistan] the workers… why?
He said the first slogan of the movement would be raised at 8:30 p.m.: “Aisay Dastoor Ko Hum Nahin Maante” (“We reject such a constitution”).
“Our campaign starts tonight. We have no personal enmity with anyone,” he said, adding that supporters of incarcerated PTI supremo Imran Khan had also called for a movement.
In a statement released later, TTAP announced that a national consultative conference would be convened this week in Islamabad, inviting representatives from all sectors of society.
The statement said a Black Day would be observed across the country the day after the “fake endorsement” of the 27th Amendment.
“People will wear black armbands and lawyers will wear black ribbons into courtrooms to register their protest,” the statement said. He adds that “we expect conscientious judges to voice their concerns”, while calling for a “new social contract” for Pakistan.
The alliance also announced plans to form committees to shape public opinion, engage professional organizations and consult members of the legal community. “The judicial system is being dismantled. Lawyers will play a key role in this movement,” the text says.
The statement further added that the delegations will meet retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts to discuss the implications of the amendment.
