QUETTA — Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai has sharply criticised the state of constitutional governance in Pakistan, declaring that the Constitution has been “reduced to a mere formality” and questioning how a country can function without universally respected rules and institutions.
Addressing a large public gathering at Ayub Football Stadium on Tuesday to mark the 52nd death anniversary of Shaheed Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai, the veteran nationalist leader warned that no stable system — “not even a village” — can operate in the absence of agreed-upon rules. Leaders from various political parties attended the event to pay tribute to Khan Shaheed’s lifelong struggle against colonialism, his contributions to democratic rights and his advocacy for the oppressed.
Achakzai criticised what he described as parliament’s weakened credibility, arguing that an assembly “formed through stolen mandates, money or influence” lacked the legitimacy to amend the Constitution’s foundational structure. He said that the political crises facing the country stemmed from the erosion of democratic norms and the absence of transparent electoral practices.
Speaking in his capacity as chairman of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), Achakzai accused state institutions of systematic repression against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) during the political turmoil preceding recent elections. He alleged that thousands of homes were raided and that PTI workers were subjected to torture in police stations and detention centres. “Even their dignity was violated,” he told the crowd.
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Despite these pressures, Achakzai said, “the public gave PTI the mandate,” yet the election outcome was manipulated. He claimed that candidates who had actually placed third or fourth were declared winners “through tick-marking,” while others were allegedly awarded victories in exchange for large sums of money.
the courts are now unable to deliver justice. We must understand and explain to the people the difference between the genuine and false parliament and the courts. We have decided to stand against oppression, because silence in the face of injustice invites divine punishment. pic.twitter.com/HfW8PN7TWa
— Mehmood Khan Achakzai (@MKAchakzaiPKMAP) December 2, 2025
The PkMAP chief added that when these actions still failed to secure a stable majority for the government, opposition lawmakers were “disqualified en masse through court rulings,” with their seats reassigned to what he described as a “fake government.”
Achakzai’s speech drew strong reactions from attendees and political observers, underscoring continued tensions between nationalist parties, mainstream political forces and state institutions. The gathering also highlighted ongoing demands for constitutional supremacy, electoral transparency and respect for democratic rights — issues that remain central to Pakistan’s turbulent political landscape.
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