The grand opposition alliance has failed to meet its deadline for finalising an organisational structure and protest strategy, delaying its much-anticipated anti-government movement scheduled after Eid-ul-Fitr.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the alliance was supposed to finalise its protest roadmap during Ramadan, but internal disorganisation has stalled progress.
The opposition parties debated various proposals regarding the alliance’s structure but could not reach a consensus. As a result, the finalisation of the post-Eid protest plan has also been delayed.
Sources revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has declined to formally join the opposition alliance, opting instead to pursue its own independent movement.
The opposition alliance suggested an alternative plan, proposing that JI hold its protest in Rawalpindi while the rest of the alliance demonstrates in Islamabad. However, JI has yet to respond to this suggestion.
Despite these hurdles, the sources said the opposition parties have decided on a leadership structure, and Mahmood Khan Achakzai will serve as chairman of the alliance, while the president will be from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F).
Each member party will have one vice president, with Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar as information secretary and Hamid Raza, a PTI-backed candidate, as general secretary.
It is pertinent to mention that on March 19, the channel reported that Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), the umbrella coalition of opposition parties, had announced plans to hold an All-Parties Conference (APC) after Eid-ul-Fitr to deliberate on the political and security situation in the country.
To strengthen the movement, TTAP had formed three subcommittees. Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was tasked with heading the coordination committee; Hamid Raza was appointed to lead the political committee, and Latif Khosa was put in charge of liaising with other political parties to enhance the alliance's reach.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif