The opposition launches a protest against the 27th amendment

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan announced a nationwide protest movement against the proposed 27th constitutional amendment and stated that it would not allow parliament to function until the amendment is withdrawn.

At a joint press conference in Islamabad, the nominated Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, declared the amendment an attack on the constitution, calling it Pakistan’s own 9/11. “On a public holiday, an attack on the constitution was launched – an attack on the very foundation of Pakistan. This is our own 9/11.”

He claimed that “a group of illegitimate rulers have seized power in Pakistan without elections.” “We are patriots who love this country. I have taken an oath five times to defend the constitution,” he said, adding that “false propaganda is being spread and the public is being misled.”

Read: The Senate meeting begins to discuss the 27th Constitution

Achakzai, who is also the chairman of the alliance, announced that the protest movement would begin immediately. “Our movement begins today. Empowerment of individuals will not save Pakistan. We warn everyone – this is an attack on the very foundations of the country,” he said.

He said the alliance would block parliamentary procedures and mobilize the public. “Parliament will be stopped from functioning,” he said. “If school children come out for their rights, will you open fire on them? … Tonight at 8.30 pm we will begin our sloganeering.” He added that the slogan will be: “Aisay Dastoor Ko Hum Nahin Maante” (We do not accept this constitution).

At the same presser, Allama Nasir Abbas and other alliance leaders joined in announcing the campaign, which will include a national consultative conference in Islamabad this week.

“The judicial system is being dismantled,” Achakzai said, adding that the delegations would meet representatives of bar councils and retired judges. “We will invite trade associations and representatives of all sectors. We urge any public opinion-former to share their views.”

Abbas, who is also the vice-chairman of the movement and head of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, described the amendment as “an attack on the constitution” and urged citizens to mobilize. He said the protest movement would begin tonight at 8:30 pm across the country.

Also read: President cannot be arrested, reserved under any circumstances for life, new clause added on PPP’s demand

He alleged that the country’s mandate was “stolen on February 8,” and alleged that the judiciary and certain institutions facilitated election rigging through Form 47. “They grabbed PTI’s mandate and handed over the government to them with only 17 seats,” he said. “Now they are trying to give immunity to certain individuals – allowing them to commit oppression, tyranny and even murder without responsibility for life.”

Abbas also criticized the proposed restructuring of the military command, particularly the abolition of the Chairman’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. He argued that the change would give the army chief control over all three services and warned that such a concentration of power would “destroy the institutional balance of Pakistan’s defense structure.”

Recalling the 2019 Balakot episode, he said: “When India attacked, the then army chief advised restraint, but the air chief insisted on responding – and we did. Imagine the consequences if all power is concentrated in one person. Without checks and balances, even men become pharaohs.”

He warned that the change would send a damaging message within defence. “You are destroying the very forces responsible for defending Pakistan’s borders. What message are you sending to the Navy and Air Force by placing them under the ground forces?” he asked.

Read: PML-N withdraws immunity clause following PM Shehbaz’s directive

Meanwhile, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, vice chairman of the alliance, argued that the current parliament lacks credibility. “The manner in which this Parliament arose after the February 8 election and the manner in which election petitions were rejected – followed by constitutional amendments to prevent their hearing – is all for the nation,” he said.

Claiming that the 26th Amendment was passed “secretly,” he claimed that “99 percent of the members were ignorant of its contents,” and said Supreme Court rulings on reserved seats enabled the government to secure a majority.

Khokhar announced that a national consultative conference will be held in Islamabad this week to shape a unified strategy. He said the day after the “fraudulent approval” of the 27th Amendment would be observed as a national day of mourning, with citizens wearing black armbands and lawyers protesting in black attire in the courts.

Outlining the movement’s next steps, Khokhar said scholars, retired judges and intellectuals would be invited to express concerns; nationwide rallies, corner meetings and gatherings would follow; and a public outreach committee would be formed to engage civil society, media and business. Articles would also be written for national and international media, and coordination would be established with bar councils and bar associations.

In conclusion, Khokhar said: “This constitution is no longer the consensus document of 1973 – it has been transformed into an insurance policy for the continuity and protection of power in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Landhi. The people of Pakistan must now decide whether to reclaim their constitution or hand it over to those who perverted it.”

In a later statement, the alliance announced that a nationwide “Black Day” would be observed the day after what it called the “fraudulent approval” of the change. Citizens will be encouraged to wear black armbands, while lawyers will don black bands in the courts