TTAP warns army against political role, calls for nationwide protest on Feb 8 | The Express Tribune

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

Speaking at a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, Achakzai said no country could function without an army and intelligence agencies, 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.

Rejecting claims that opposition movements posed security threats, Achakzai said the real danger lay elsewhere. “The real security risk is the one who 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 disclose private political contacts. “However, I assure you that we will not compromise at the expense of Pakistan or parliament,” he said, emphasising that true democracy was essential for the country’s stability.

Achakzai said 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 amend it to entrench political power. “Today, the Constitution is rapidly losing its value,” he warned.

He said TTAP had earlier proposed convening a national conference involving all political forces and stakeholders to deliberate on 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-jam and shutter-down 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 shut businesses 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. “Under the Constitution, people have the right to choose their leaders, but this right is being systematically taken away,” he said. He criticised restrictions on public assembly, including the imposition of Section 144, saying that when all avenues for reform were blocked, people were pushed toward agitation. “What choice is left for the people when every path 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’ organisations and labour representatives, announced their formal support for TTAP, pledging solidarity for the supremacy of democracy and the Constitution. Haqooq-e-Khalq Party leaders said their participation reflected a commitment to resist unconstitutional actions and defend fundamental rights.

Later, the TTAP leadership attempted to address the media at Minar-e-Pakistan, where they were expected to pass a formal resolution, but authorities sealed the site and barred public entry. The closure of the historic venue drew criticism from opposition leaders, who termed 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 rule.

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, distributing pamphlets to mobilise public support for the February 8 protest.

Read: TTAP convoy reaches Lahore despite police action, arrests

Addressing journalists again, Achakzai said the opposition movement was not aimed at gaining power but at rescuing 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 suppressing democratic processes had created deep internal crises.

Achakzai also suggested that Pakistan explore regional dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations, proposing a roundtable 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 organiser Aliya Hamza Malik criticising the closure of public spaces and calling it evidence of fear of peaceful political mobilisation.

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