Tehreek Tahafuz Aain Pakistan Supports Long March, Seeks Appointment of New CEC
QUETTA: The Tehreek Tahafuz Aain Pakistan (TTAP) has announced its support for the proposed long march by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately initiate the constitutional process for appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
A high-level meeting of the alliance was held under the chairmanship of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The meeting was attended by Allama Nasir Abbas Jafri, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry.
The participants discussed the country’s political and constitutional situation as well as major national issues. They expressed concern over the ongoing political, economic and security crises and what they described as the government’s lack of attention to these challenges.
Letter Sent to Prime Minister Over CEC Appointment
Mahmood Khan Achakzai informed the meeting that he had formally written to the prime minister, in his capacity as opposition leader, seeking the initiation of the constitutional procedure for appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission.
The meeting expressed concern that the incumbent CEC and ECP members were continuing to perform their duties despite the expiry of their constitutional terms, while the government had yet to initiate the process for appointing their successors.
The alliance said controversial and non-transparent elections were at the root of many of the country’s problems and crises. It stressed that an independent and autonomous Election Commission was essential for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
The meeting urged the prime minister to meet with the opposition leader and immediately begin the constitutional process for the appointments.
Concern Over Imran Khan’s Health
The alliance also expressed serious concern over reports regarding the health of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
It said Khan was not merely a prisoner but the leader of millions of Pakistanis and was currently in the custody of state institutions. The alliance condemned what it described as the denial of access to his family and personal doctors for an extended period.
TTAP said the institutions responsible for Imran Khan’s custody would be fully responsible for his health and safety, warning that any negligence or lapse would also be their responsibility.
The alliance demanded that Imran Khan’s sisters be immediately allowed to meet him and that his personal doctors be granted access so that his actual health condition could be determined. It also called for his comprehensive medical examination at Al-Shifa Hospital under the supervision of his personal physicians and family.
Support for PTI’s Long March
The meeting said TTAP would stand alongside PTI in its struggle over Imran Khan’s health and release, maintaining that joint efforts on the issue could prove more effective and result-oriented.
It also emphasized the importance of better coordination regarding the proposed long march announced by PTI and expressed the expectation that the party would keep TTAP leadership regularly informed about its plans.
The alliance further condemned the alleged illegal arrests of Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, his associates and Kashmiri protesters who were raising their voices for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
It demanded the immediate release of Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, his colleagues and all arrested Kashmiri protesters, along with effective measures to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
