ISLAMABAD:
Main opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), are preparing to protest on February 8 to mark the second anniversary of the general elections, but a unified opposition front appears elusive as the main parties announced separate agitation plans on Monday.
Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), a major opposition alliance in which PTI is a major shareholder, held a meeting in Islamabad under the chairmanship of its leader and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
The meeting was called to refine the strategy for the February 8 demonstration. Besides, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (F) also revealed its plans for the day.
What emerged from Monday’s developments was that the TTAP appears to have opted for a one-day protest rather than a prolonged anti-government campaign, giving weight to reports that the notification of Achakzai as leader of the opposition in the lower house could steer the PTI away from the politics of disruption.
After presiding over the meeting, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) president confirmed to reporters that the February 8 protest would last only one day.
“The public is simply invited to peacefully cooperate for a day against these oppressive policies and exercise their constitutional right to protest,” Achakzai said, indicating that the opposition alliance was not seeking confrontation with the government.
The TTAP leader said the protest call would include a “full shutdown strike” on February 8, adding that the opposition alliance would start seeking cooperation from traders, transporters and other stakeholders.
Although TTAP does not intend to launch a prolonged protest on February 8, Achakzai hinted at the possibility of a broader campaign against the government.
“This is just the beginning, and in the next phase, TTAP may call on all its workers and political parties to prepare for a Jail Bharo movement,” he said.
TTAP has already called a national strike on February 8 to mark the second anniversary of what it claims were rigged elections, calling it a “Black Day.”
The development comes amid recent efforts to open dialogue between the government and opposition parties.
“We waited after the government’s call for dialogue, but there was no contact from their side. We cannot sit back and do nothing; we have no other way but to fight against oppression,” TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousufzai told The Express PK Press Club.
Meanwhile, the JUI-F also declared February 8 as Black Day against what it described as the controversial and most rigged general elections of 2024.
JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said nationwide protests would take place on February 8, with a central rally in Rawalpindi where the party leader would address participants. He added that large-scale protests would also be organized in all provincial headquarters.
When asked if the JUI-F would join the TTAP for the February 8 protests, Ghauri told The Express PK Press Club: “We have been part of the opposition, but not once have the PTI or TTAP trusted us regarding the February 8 protests. We are conducting our protest separately so far.”
“We want them to come and sit with us so that we can discuss together for the supremacy of the Constitution. We have already endured difficulties for the supremacy of the Constitution, even during Zia’s time we were defeated. So if they contact us, then we can think about how to take the protest forward,” he added.
Ghauri also criticized the government, saying it must answer not only for the rigged elections, but also for problems related to the Trump Peace Board, and to prevent it from enacting laws contrary to the Quran and Sunnah.
He criticized Achakzai’s announcement regarding the Jail Bharo Tehreek (judicial arrest movement), saying the PTI can launch as many campaigns as it wants – whether it is a judicial arrest campaign or otherwise – but ultimately talks should take place.
“Regardless of who is at the table, the discussion needs to happen at the table.”
The TTAP, for its part, welcomed the announcement by the JUI-F of a call to protest. “We welcome this announcement. We will meet all political parties in the coming days to coordinate and try to convince them to protest from a single platform,” said the alliance spokesperson.
