Opposition alliance announces movement

ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz Aaiyeen-e-Pakistan, on Saturday announced the launch of a nationwide movement against the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The announcement was made by the alliance head, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, in reaction to the tabling of the key amendment in the Senate earlier in the day.

Achakzai said the Constitution is a social contract between the state and the people, warning that its foundations were being shaken. “I have taken oath five times to protect the Constitution. The people kept asking when to begin the movement — now there is no option but to rise,” he declared.

He said the movement, starting Sunday night, would carry three slogans: “Long live democracy”, “Down with dictatorship”, and a call for the release of political prisoners. “We will tell people that sovereignty lies with them, that the Constitution is supreme and that parliament must remain the source of power,” he added.

The alliance leadership is set to hold a press conference at the National Press Club on Sunday (today).

Meanwhile, alliance spokesman Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai said Achakzai had decided to write letters to all key stakeholders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and PMLN Quaid Nawaz Sharif over the issue.

He pointed out that the 27th Amendment was being pursued at a time when the office of the opposition leader was vacant in both Houses of Parliament and alleged that key facts were being concealed from the nation. The spokesman added that an emergency meeting of the alliance had been convened to discuss the emerging situation and finalise the next course of action.