ISLAMABAD: Following the collapse of recent government-opposition talks, PTI has made another attempt to form a unified front against the federal government. To strengthen this push, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was brought in to lead the anti-government movement.
This move came after PTI founder Imran Khan sent a letter to Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, proposing measures to address the perceived trust deficit between the military and the public.
PTI has also made efforts to bring key political figures like Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and former PPP senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar on board for their anti-government alliance.
Last April, PTI had already formed a multi-party opposition alliance, the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, which includes several political groups like the Sunni Ittehad Council, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Balochistan National Party-Mengal, Jamaat-i-Islami, and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen.
The PTI’s latest strategy involves having Abbasi lead the steering committee for the new alliance. This decision was made after a major opposition gathering at former speaker Asad Qaiser’s residence in Banigala, where leaders from various parties, including PkMAP’s Mr. Achakzai, JUI-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and others, attended.
Abbasi was chosen for his impartiality, and the steering committee’s formation is yet to be finalized. The alliance leaders have called for the resignation of the government and demanded free and fair elections under an impartial election commission. They argue that the current political turmoil and issues of instability can only be resolved through transparent elections.
Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer representing Imran Khan, stated that the meeting had the approval of the PTI leader and that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had been advised not to make statements against Maulana Fazl, whose role in any future agitation against the government could be crucial.
Chaudhry further highlighted the political shift that has occurred, with the PTI’s mandate being undermined by the PML-N and PPP, while the current government has struggled to facilitate PTI’s negotiations with its jailed leader.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the media’s and legal fraternity’s concerns over amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the judicial appointments in the Islamabad High Court. The rising terrorism in KP and Balochistan was also discussed, and a committee was formed to develop a response strategy.
Meanwhile, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui criticized the PTI’s approach, particularly their decision to walk away from negotiations and send letters to the army chief. He questioned the effectiveness of such actions and emphasized that serious negotiations should be the only path forward for Imran Khan and his party.
