Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, flanked TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai and PTI’s Asad Qaiser. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Despite the devastating suicide bomb blast that shook the federal capital on Friday, the opposition alliance has decided to move ahead with its planned protests on February 8, marking the second anniversary of the 2024 general elections, which it continues to reject as rigged.
The decision followed a meeting in Islamabad between Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, where the two leaders coordinated their protest strategy and explored the possibility of holding a joint demonstration on the day.
Both the PTI-backed Tehreek Tahafuz Aeen Pakistan (TTAP) and JUI-F have rejected the February 8 elections as “rigged,” alleging manipulation through controversial Form-47 results.
The meeting came in the wake of earlier protest announcements by the opposition alliance.
In December, TTAP held a two-day conference and declared February 8 a “black day,” announcing a nationwide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman later echoed a similar call in January, which was welcomed by the TTAP leadership.
Following their meeting, Achakzai and Fazlur Rehman addressed a joint press conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Achakzai said there was a consensus among opposition parties that the public mandate had been forcibly stolen on February 8 and that the people were subjected to coercion.
He said several “black laws,” including the PECA Act, had been enforced, while the powers of the judiciary had been curtailed.
Achakzai added that while JUI-F was considering holding public rallies, the opposition was also deliberating over a wheel-jam strike.
Strongly condemning terrorism, the opposition leader said all parties unequivocally denounce such acts.
He also termed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to cancel Basant celebrations in Lahore as appropriate in view of the prevailing security situation.
Addressing the media, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced full support for TTAP’s protest call, saying JUI-F would align its programme with the alliance’s plans.
He reiterated that the February 8 elections were imposed on the people and demanded fresh, free and fair general elections in line with the public mandate.
He also maintained that the opposition’s stance against alleged rigging has remained unchanged since the formation of the current assemblies.
Maulana added that whenever there is a demand for new elections after rigging, it is said that circumstances are not suitable. He questioned who will decide the suitability of the circumstances.
This political outreach is unfolding against the backdrop of a massive suicide attack in Islamabad earlier the same day, when a bomber targeted an imambargah on the outskirts of the capital, killing more than 31 people and injuring over 169 others, sharply heightening security concerns as opposition parties prepare for street mobilisation.
In the aftermath of the attack, several government-led events were cancelled as a mark of mourning.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the cancellation of all Basant-related activities in Lahore.
