The multi-party conference held on Friday under the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) was an attempt by various opposition forces to highlight what they say is a shrinking space for political dissent in Pakistan. While critics may argue that the opposition itself has often been fragmented and reactive, the circumstances surrounding the conference – particularly its forced relocation from a hotel to a private residence due to pressure reportedly exerted by the Islamabad administration – do point to a disturbing climate of intolerance. Such moves not only restrict political engagement but also send a troubling message about the state’s willingness to accommodate dissenting voices. Whether or not one agrees with the opposition’s broader politics, the argument that space for peaceful political activity is becoming increasingly constrained seems quite compelling.
The TTAP-led declaration has raised concerns about the erosion of parliamentary processes, politically motivated actions against opposition lawmakers and the perceived overreach of unelected institutions in civilian and judicial affairs. Among the key proposals is a call for a new Charter of Democracy (CoD). This is not without precedent. In 2006, the original CoD signed by the PPP and PML-N marked a turning point in resisting direct military rule. While that charter aimed to push back against direct military rule, today’s opposition faces a more complex dynamic: a hybrid arrangement in which civilian authority exists but remains heavily influenced. To its credit, the TTAP’s proposals go beyond opposition sloganeering. They include calls for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, judicial reforms, protections for press freedom, provincial autonomy and the inclusion of gender and education rights in any future democratic compact. These are all long-standing concerns about institutional imbalance and neglect of regions such as Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
However, any collective effort for democratic restoration remains incomplete without the participation of the PTI, the country’s largest opposition party. Unfortunately, the PTI continues to centre its political strategy almost entirely around the fate of Imran Khan. Its rejection of dialogue in favour of protest, which has then often veered into confrontation, has weakened its position, deepened political polarisation and left many of its leaders vulnerable to repression. Even as some senior party members from within jail have called for negotiation, the leadership’s unwillingness to recalibrate has only prolonged the impasse. The May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024, protests showed quite clearly that street agitation alone is no longer an effective tool, especially when met with a state apparatus primed for a crackdown. The TTAP declaration offers a more pragmatic alternative: a collective front rooted in democratic reform, not individual grievance. If the PTI wishes to reclaim political ground and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s democratic future, it would be wise to engage with this broader agenda. Pakistan is approaching a critical juncture. With constitutional norms under siege and democratic space fast eroding, the only viable path forward lies in political dialogue and a renewed, inclusive ‘Charter of Democracy’. The country can no longer afford politics defined by personal vendettas or institutional overreach. As solutions go, dialogue and a semi-amicable ‘charter’ sound like a good idea.
