Achakzai for ‘forgive and forget’ approach to defuse political tensions

ISLAMABAD: In a bold offer to the establishment, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP), on Saturday called for a decisive reset in the nation’s leadership, urging a “forgive and forget” approach to heal the deep divisions that have plunged the country into what he said a state of chaos and uncertainty.

Achakzai’s impassioned plea came at the conclusion of a two-day conference, jointly organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and TTAP, which brought together a rare coalition of opposition leaders, civil society activists, lawyers, and media voices, all calling for urgent action to steer the country out of its current turmoil.

At the same time, in a direct challenge to the political status quo, Achakzai urged leaders from across the political spectrum – including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mian Nawaz Sharif, and others – to set aside their differences and engage in dialogue for the country’s future. “Let us forgive each other, and move forward,”

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He urged that only through democratic discourse could Pakistan extricate itself from the political and economic abyss it now finds itself in. “We are ready for democratic dialogue. We must bring Pakistan out of this crisis.”

Achakzai’s remarks took a sharp turn when he accused the establishment of meddling in the country’s political processes, particularly in the 2018 general elections. He claimed that the elections were manipulated by the establishment. “The election was fixed, and billions of rupees were exchanged. This is the path to destruction.”

He also fired a pointed salvo at the establishment role in the country’s ongoing political crises. “The person who holds a gun cannot sit at the political table. If they don’t like that, they should lay down their arms, get elected, and become part of the parliament.”

Maajlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas lashed out at the country’s judicial system, accusing the courts of failing to deliver justice.

“Nothing is left in Pakistan now; these courts have become ruins,” he lamented. “Justice is not being served here; instead, justice and fairness are being murdered,” he alleged.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, echoed these sentiments, and condemned recent court decisions as unjust. “The requirements of justice have not been met, and no amount of condemnation is enough,” he said, predicting that those currently in power may find themselves vulnerable tomorrow.

“If anyone thinks they are safe just because they have the government today, they should rid themselves of this illusion,”

However, Achakzai said: “We are ready for negotiations, but the first condition for any talks is that a meeting with Imran Khan is arranged.”

Even veteran politician Javed Hashmi, no stranger to the country’s political manoeuvring, weighed in on Khan’s treatment. “Imran Khan cannot be kept in prison. The sentences imposed on him and Bushra Bibi are meaningless,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch called for a united national effort to address the challenges, urging political parties, civil society, and the media to rally around a shared agenda focused on constitutional protection and political stability. “We must come together under a common cause. The protection of the constitution is the least common agenda for all,” he said, stressing that peaceful political struggle was the only path forward.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025