ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is working to unite opposition parties under the ‘Movement to Protect the Constitution of Pakistan’ after failed negotiations with the government.
PTI leadership is engaging key political figures, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the Awam Pakistan Party to join the movement.
The movement commonly known as ‘Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan’ has planned nationwide protest rallies and public meetings against the government.
The decision to reactivate ‘Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan’ was taken after the failure of talks between the opposition party PTI and the government.
PTI founding chairman Imran Khan has instructed party leaders to bring all major opposition parties, including JUI-F, into the fold.
In this regard, PTI leaders recently met Maulana Fazlur Rehman and invited him to join the movement. JUI-F has yet to make a final decision. Meanwhile, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has agreed to join the opposition alliance.
On Thursday, the opposition alliance, led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, held a key meeting to finalise protest plans. Leaders announced they would soon begin political activities against the government.
The alliance leadership also confirmed an upcoming visit to Karachi to meet regional opposition political parties, including the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), to expand their coalition.
Commenting on political development, a senior political analyst Ajmal Jami sees a strong chance of a grand opposition alliance forming. However, he remains uncertain about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s role. He noted that JUI-F has been invited to a major rally in Peshawar but remains hesitant to fully align with PTI.
The opposition coalition currently consists of seven major parties, according to spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain Yousafzai. More parties are expected to join, turning the alliance into a significant political force.
Akhundzada has said that Sindh political parties will be brought into the movement. He stated that both Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar have pledged their support.
PTI-Led Alliance to Observe “Black Day” on February 8
The opposition alliance has set February 8 as Black Day to protest against the government. A large public gathering is planned in Swabi to mark the occasion.
Yousafzai emphasized that the Pakistani public supports PTI and Imran Khan. He argued that given the country’s political instability, Maulana Fazlur Rehman cannot side with the government.
With protests gaining momentum, Pakistan’s political landscape faces renewed uncertainty. Whether the opposition alliance can significantly challenge the government remains to be seen.
