The resolution says any decision by Achakzai will be binding on all parliamentary party members
ISLAMABAD:
A major opposition alliance on Thursday formally authorized opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate to negotiate on its behalf with the government and their decisions would be binding after an eight-hour standoff, even as the PTI hardened its stance that Imran Khan remains the sole axis of Pakistan’s politics and any “minus-Im formula” will be opposed.
The decision was taken at a meeting of opposition parliamentary parties held under the chairmanship of National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, with more than 70 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers from the National Assembly and Senate in attendance, followed by a joint news conference addressed by senior opposition leaders, including Barrister Gohar.
The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) parliamentary parties passed a resolution giving full authority to Mahmood Kham Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas to lead negotiations on behalf of the alliance.
The resolution stated that both leaders had been empowered to take all decisions regarding talks and that any decision by Mahmood Khan Achakzai would be binding on all parliamentary party members.
Opening the press conference after the long meeting, Achakzai said the meeting was held amid concerns over Imran Khan’s health, restricted access and the treatment of political prisoners.
He said the discussions also covered inflation, economic instability and worsening law and order, adding that the alliance would continue its struggle through constitutional means without personal attacks.
He said that democratic institutions, including parliament, had been weakened over time, stressing that the alliance’s goal was to restore constitutional order.
At the press conference, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the “one-point agenda” of the meeting was to secure access and release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.
He said participants expressed serious concerns over restrictions on meetings with Khan, claiming that his family, lawyers and party leadership were being denied access. He called the treatment “illegal, unconstitutional and inhuman” and called for speedy hearings of PTI-related cases in accordance with the law.
Gohar said there was complete consensus that Imran Khan remained central to Pakistan’s political landscape, adding that the party rejected any “minus-Imran” formula.
Clarifying that no discussion had taken place on PTI lawmakers returning to parliamentary standing committees, he said the focus remained solely on Khan’s access, legal situation and political future.
He said PTI existed in Parliament because of Imran Khan and warned that any attempt to sideline him politically would be strongly resisted. He also announced planned protests at the district headquarters against inflation and in support of Khan’s release.
Addressing reports of a petition regarding the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s post, Gohar dismissed it as a political matter, alleging that it was part of a conspiracy. He said only Imran Khan had the authority to decide party leadership issues and described the ministerial arrangement as “irreversible” politically, legally and constitutionally.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas said the country was facing a serious political, economic and security crisis, with inflation, unemployment and poverty placing an unbearable burden on citizens.
He said that dialogue should not be seen as weakness but as a necessity to restore the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. He also demanded the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan and party workers, and criticized the curtailment of space for political dissent.
