The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin, sometimes called Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP, lit. 'Movement for the Protection of the Constitution of Pakistan'), or Grand Opposition Alliance, is a big tent political group of several political parties in Pakistan led by Pakistan's largest political party, the PTI. Currently, it consists of various parties that protest against electoral fraud in the 2024 Pakistani general elections and to oppose the Second Shehbaz Sharif government under the leadership of Imran Khan and Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
History
Formation
The alliance was founded after the 2024 Pakistani general elections, which were marred by allegations of rigging, vote fraud, manipulation and misconduct. Primarily, the PTI led the opposition movement and protested against alleged rigging in the elections, but soon invited many political parties to join its ranks. The PTI invited its long time close allies, the SIC led by Sahibzada Hamid Raza, the MWM led by Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri and the GDA led by Sindh-based leadership to protest against the Shehbaz Sharif government, due to it being 'sitting on a stolen mandate.'
The PTI announced an alliance with Mahmood Khan Achakzai and his PkMAP to contest the validity of the election results. In Balochistan, the BNP(M) led by Akhtar Mengal criticized the government for its mishandling of the elections and formed an alliance with the PTI. Furthermore, the JI and the JUI (F) reported rigging. With these several parties forming a large opposition alliance led by the PTI, on Saturday, 13 April 2024, Omar Ayub announced the formation of the 'Movement for the Protection of the Constitution' alongside Akhtar Mengal and Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The movement was founded following several opposition meetings between parties which were mediated by Asad Qaiser, a PTI senior member.
Protests and Activism
The movement began protests against rigging all over Pakistan, primarily in Pishin, Pakistan. Mengal and the BNP-M currently lead the front in Balochistan, while the Grand Democratic Alliance and to a lesser extent, the JI run the protests in Sindh.
Achakzai and Omar Ayub are the movement's two highest leaders, leading the movement countrywide and through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, while Hamid Raza and Nasir Abbas have given the movement political support. The JUI (F) has not joined the coalition, despite being invited several times by PTI senior leader, Asad Qaiser, though the JUI-F has voiced protests, though joined as part of the TTAP. The alliance has heavily supported rightfully implementing the Constitution of Pakistan, as well as has accused the establishment for rigging and violating constitutional law.
Member parties
Initial parties
References
