The opposition announces a nationwide campaign against the 27th amendment

The designated Leaders of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Senate, Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas Jafri, announced the launch of a nationwide protest movement against the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, warning that it poses a serious threat to constitutional democracy in the country.

Addressing a joint press conference on Saturday, the two leaders – who also serve as chairman and deputy chairman of Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan – said Pakistan was once again at a “critical turning point in history” where the constitution and parliamentary system were under pressure.

Abbas said the current situation could be compared to the national crisis of 1971. “Pakistan broke apart in 1971 and today the country is facing a similar crisis,” he said. “Democratic institutions have been paralyzed and laws are being introduced to make the powerful even more powerful.”

He warned that a “martial law mentality” was re-emerging and argued that those who abuse authority continue to operate without accountability. He called on citizens across the country to join the movement and announced that a symbolic sloganeering campaign would begin at 8.30pm on Sunday evening.

“Every voice will rise together to say— Aisay Dastoor Ko, Subha-e-Be-Noor Ko, Main Nahin Manta, Main Nahin Janta (I do not accept this constitution, this dawn without light – I do not agree with it, I do not recognize it),” he noted while quoting Habib Jalib’s famous poem, adding that the campaign would represent “the voice of every Pakistani – men, women, young and old – united for the protection of the constitution.”

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Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the designated leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, said the constitution in democracies acts as a pact between the state and the people. “But in Pakistan it is constantly tampered with,” he said. “I have taken an oath to protect the constitution five times, but today parliament itself is under constitutional attack.”

He described the current parliament as a “debating society” that lacks real authority and representation. Achakzai said the movement would now shift from parliamentary forums to the public. “We go to the people because they are the true source of power,” he said. “The time for waiting is over. The movement begins now.”

Achakzai urged all political parties and groups to join the campaign to defend constitutional rule. “From tomorrow evening, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan will begin its nationwide campaign. In response to the call of Allama Nasir Abbas, we will start this struggle with the slogan of Allahu Akbar.”

He said the movement would advance around core demands: uphold democracy, reject dictatorship, release political prisoners, protect the constitution and preserve parliamentary sovereignty.

“We will show the arrogant rulers that it is the people who are the real decision makers – and it is the people who will decide the destiny of this nation,” concluded Achakzai.