TTAP warns army against political role and calls for nationwide protest on February 8

Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai said on Saturday that the military must remain within its constitutional framework and warned that if it wants to engage in politics, it should abandon its security role and seek power through elections.

Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, Achakzai said no country could function without an army and intelligence services, but stressed that their mandate must be limited to the roles defined in the constitution. “Our army is competent and professional, but like armies in democratic countries around the world, it must operate strictly within its constitutional boundaries,” he said, adding that any political interference was unacceptable.

Achakzai rejected claims that opposition movements posed security threats, saying the real danger lay elsewhere. “The real security risk is whoever tampers with the constitution, suspends it or manipulates it for personal or political gain,” he said.

Responding to questions about backdoor dialogue or meetings with political leaders, including PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Achakzai said the alliance was not “naive” enough to reveal private political contacts. “But I assure you that we will not compromise at the expense of Pakistan or the Parliament,” he said, stressing that true democracy was essential for the country’s stability.

Achakzai said that Pakistan’s repeated political crises stemmed from the disruption of democratic continuity and the suppression of leadership development. “Pakistan has failed to produce effective leadership and the people are not to blame for this failure,” he said. He recalled that TTAP was formed when the constitution was still intact and without the support of state institutions, anticipating attempts to change it to entrench political power. “Today, the constitution is rapidly losing its value,” he warned.

He said that TTAP had earlier proposed to convene a national conference involving all political forces and stakeholders to discuss the prevailing crisis, but the proposal failed to gain traction. “We wanted a collective national dialogue, but unfortunately no one took it seriously,” he added.

Calling for a nationwide wheel stoppage and shutdown strike on February 8, Achakzai said the movement for the restoration of the constitution was gaining momentum. “Anyone who loves Pakistan should come out and stand with us,” he said, urging traders, workers and professionals to close shops and join the protest.

TTAP Vice Chairman Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said the country’s constitutional order had been repeatedly undermined through martial laws and amendments that weakened democratic principles. “According to the constitution, people have the right to choose their leaders, but this right is being systematically taken away,” he said. He criticized restrictions on public assembly, including the introduction of Section 144, and said that when all avenues to reforms were blocked, people were pushed towards agitation. “What choice is left to the people when every avenue to reform is closed?” he asked.

Leaders of several political and social groups, including the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party, Awami Workers Party, trade unions, farmers’ organizations and workers’ representatives, announced their formal support for the TTAP and pledged solidarity for the supremacy of democracy and the constitution. Haqooq-e-Khalq Party leaders said their participation reflected a commitment to resist unconstitutional acts and defend fundamental rights.

Later, the TTAP leadership tried to address the media at Minar-e-Pakistan, where they were expected to pass a formal resolution, but authorities sealed off the site and barred public access. The closure of the historic venue drew criticism from opposition leaders, who labeled it an attempt to stifle peaceful political expression.

However, after facing initial resistance, opposition leaders managed to enter the historic Iqbal Park, where they reiterated their stance on the restoration of the constitution and democracy. They urged the people of Pakistan to take to the streets in support of constitutional supremacy and democratic governance.

The delegation also visited the mausoleums of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Bibi Pak Daman, where supporters gathered in large numbers and expressed solidarity. TTAP leaders visited various markets in Lahore and distributed pamphlets to mobilize public support for the February 8 protest.

Addressing reporters again, Achakzai said the opposition movement was not aimed at winning power but at saving the country from a constitutional crisis. “We are not asking people to follow us blindly; we are asking them to stand with us for Pakistan,” he said. “In such a crisis it is a sin to stay at home.”

He reiterated that the armed forces must operate within their defined framework. “Those who play with Pakistan’s constitution are the real security threat,” he said, adding that the suppression of democratic processes had created deep internal crises.

Achakzai also suggested that Pakistan explore regional dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations, proposing a round table involving Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and China. “No country can find solutions in isolation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also issued a call to its supporters to gather at Minar-e-Pakistan, with Punjab chief organizer Aliya Hamza Malik criticizing the closure of public spaces, calling it evidence of fear for peaceful political mobilization.

TTAP leaders said their visit to Lahore was part of a wider nationwide mobilization ahead of the February 8 protest, which they described as a defining moment for the restoration of constitutional rule and democratic governance.