TTAP leaders slam rulers, demand respect for public mandate

Leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday strongly criticised the country’s rulers, calling for respect for the public mandate and an end to what they described as authoritarian attitudes.

Addressing a media talk in Model Town, Lahore, TTAP leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas thanked supporters who welcomed the delegation on January 8, saying Lahore’s warmth reflected the true spirit of Punjab.

“Punjab is beautiful, and its rulers should also have big hearts,” he said, expressing hope that the provincial leadership would live up to Lahore’s reputation as the city of the warm-hearted.

 He accused the present rulers of having “small hearts” and failing to uphold democratic values.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood Khan Achakzai thanked PTI workers, leaders, and MPAs for standing by the movement for three days despite facing violence, harassment, and abductions.

“Some were attacked, some had their vehicles damaged, some were kidnapped. They performed their duty, and we performed ours,” he said.

Achakzai said he firmly believed that “history will rise from Lahore,” stressing that the movement had no personal enmity and had not come to “conquer Lahore Fort.”

He said no democracy in the world had witnessed an entire political party being stripped of its mandate, adding that global experience showed nations progressed only where public opinion was respected.

Referring to Pakistan’s political journey, he said the country had remained locked in a continuous struggle between democratic and undemocratic forces since its creation, warning that the arrogance of non-democratic elements was weakening the foundations of the state.

“We have come out to end oppression. You must stand with us,” he urged.

Condemning terrorism in all its forms, Achakzai recalled the events of May 9, noting that PTI’s founding chairman was in jail at the time and had demanded the formation of a judicial commission.

 “Has any commission been formed to this day? If it had, the truth would have come out,” he questioned.

He also demanded investigations into incidents of unauthorized entry into private homes, including the Corps Commander’s residence, warning that injustice and the use of force would only fuel public anger.

Achakzai further claimed he was serving as opposition leader without a formal notification, calling it another example of the erosion of constitutional norms.

Reporter: Usman Khadam Kamboh