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Achakzai Says Constitution “Torn to Shreds,” Demands Supremacy of Parliament
TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai warns Constitution and law have been undermined, urges political forces to unite for constitutional supremacy as opposition leaders decry shrinking democratic space.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-20
Achakzai Says Constitution “Torn to Shreds,” Demands Supremacy of Parliament

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, on Saturday warned that the Constitution and rule of law in Pakistan had been “torn to shreds” and demanded that the sovereignty of Parliament be acknowledged.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day national conference titled “Protection of the Consensus Constitution: The Need of the Hour and a Way Forward through Collective Wisdom”, organised by TTAP, an alliance of opposition parties.

The conference was convened amid rising political tensions following remarks by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who criticised PTI founder Imran Khan for allegedly promoting “anti-army” rhetoric, calling it a national security threat rather than a political issue.

Addressing the gathering, Achakzai said the prevailing situation in the country demanded that every conscious citizen raise their voice for constitutional supremacy. He lamented that hopes for the eventual establishment of the Constitution’s supremacy were now fading.

The veteran politician urged all political forces to rise above party interests, power struggles, and affiliations, and work collectively toward a consensus course of action.

“It has now become inevitable to ask a fundamental question: Is this country meant for the military, or is the military meant for the country?” Achakzai asked, adding that if the military was subordinate to the state, then constitutional exemptions could not be justified.

Referring to possible negotiations with the government, Achakzai stressed that clarity was needed regarding who the talks would be held with, on what points, and under what conditions. He said the first condition for meaningful dialogue must be the immediate lifting of restrictions on meetings with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan.

“Despite court orders, meetings with Imran Khan by his family members, lawyers, and political leaders are being restricted,” he said, adding that those approaching him with court orders were being subjected to state violence and legal cases, which he termed an “outright injustice”.

Achakzai further noted that no army could win a war or achieve lasting success without public support. He appealed to political parties, civil society, and various schools of thought to come forward with suggestions to help steer the country out of its current political impasse.

‘Martial law has been imposed’

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking at the conference, claimed that an undeclared martial law had effectively been imposed in the country.

“When courts can’t deliver justice, judges can’t protect themselves, and civilians can’t protect themselves in open court, the judiciary becomes irrelevant,” he said, questioning how the supremacy of law and the Constitution could be upheld under such circumstances.

Referring to the sentencing of PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison earlier in the day, Gohar said the entire country was gripped by sadness. He expressed disappointment that hopes of justice were diminishing despite the party’s restraint and commitment to peaceful political struggle.

Gohar criticised what he termed repeated convictions in the same Toshakhana case, calling it unprecedented and contrary to law and the Constitution. He claimed that sentences against PTI leadership were piling up, potentially reaching decades in prison across multiple cases.

“These decisions are beyond the law and the Constitution,” he said, alleging that verdicts were being influenced from outside the judicial framework.

The first day of the conference saw participation from a wide range of political figures and civil society members, including PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Asad Qaiser, BNP chief Akhtar Mengal, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Javed Hashmi, Mohsin Dawar, Afrasiab Khattak, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, Syed Zain Shah, journalists, lawyers, and rights activists.
Tagged:

RuleOfLaw

TTAP

ConstitutionOfPakistan

ParliamentarySupremacy
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