ISLAMABAD: A number of disgruntled members from the country’s mainstream parties, mostly from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Saturday formally launched their new political party named ‘Awaam Pakistan’ (AP), vowing to challenge the status quo and restore democracy.

“Badlein Ge Nizam — Awaam Pakistan (people of Pakistan will change the system)” is the slogan of the new party which was launched at a low-key ceremony attended by a handful of supporters at a banquet hall. It lacked the fanfare and enthusiasm typically associated with such events. However, some supporters occasionally did raise slogans.

Despite repeated clarifications by the leaders, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail, that there was no role of the “establishment” in the formation of their party, the journalists present at the ceremony repeatedly asked direct and indirect questions about the alleged backing from the powerful quarters.

“Some people are asking if the establishment is with us. Have we come here with [establishment’s] permission? Everyone thinks that there can be no politics [in the country] without the establishment’s support. This thinking is there because in the past, the parties had been formed by the establishment,” said Mr Abbasi.

“The country’s prime minister cannot be subservient to the army chief. The judges of this country cannot be subservient to someone. The bureaucrats of this country cannot be subservient to someone. We all want that the army chief, the judges, bureaucrats and politicians all should be subservient to the Constit­ution,” said the former prime minister.

Abbasi urges merit

“Electables are part of politics, but every electable will not be acceptable. To be in ‘Awaam Pakistan’, you need competence and a good reputation. If you have neither, you cannot be a part of this party,” declared Mr Abbasi. According to the party’s constitution, he said, no one would hold a party office for more than two terms, stating that there would be no room for dynastic or cult politics in the party.

‘Predatory state’

Speaking at the ceremony, Miftah Ismail said Pakistan had become a “predatory state”. “To our governments, we are not citizens, we are prey.”

Later, talking to Dawn, he said the new party had completed all legal and technical formalities and submitted the required documents to the ECP for registration.

Mr Ismail said till the intra-party elections, the party would be run through a 22-member organising committee under the convenorship of Mr Abbasi.

Ex-KP governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, ex-MQM MNA Sheikh Salahuddin, ex-MNA from Faisalabad Rana Zahid Tauseef, former PML-N MPA Zaeem Hussain Qadri, and Sindhi nationalist leader Anwar Soomro are members of the committee.

Tarar’s statement

Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, in a statement, questioned the credibility of the founders of the newly launched party.

The minister said the new party was “nothing but a gathering of investors” who had billions of rupees in their possession, according to state-run APP.

The presser was a repeat telecast of the old narrative that was “full of contradictions”, he maintained.

Referring to Mr Abbasi and Mr Ismail, he asked how could persons without “loyalty” could do “politics of ethics” .

The minister said the public would ask them why they were silent while being in the highest offices of the country.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024