ISLAMABAD: The All Parties Conference (APC) convened by the Awami National Party (ANP) in the federal capital concluded amid discord and visible fault lines within the opposition bloc, as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) distanced themselves from a joint resolution. The disagreements centred on clauses related to security operations, provincial rights, and control over natural resources.
The joint resolution, endorsed by nationalist and regional parties, carried demands that immediately exposed divisions. It sought the cessation of military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the establishment of a judicial truth commission to probe human and financial losses. It further called for equitable distribution of resources, effective provincial autonomy through the 18th Amendment, and dismantling of unconstitutional structures such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
These clauses, particularly the criticism of security institutions’ role in both security and economic domains, created unease among the representatives of PML-N and PPP. Senator Irfan Siddiqui and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry of the PML-N, along with PPP’s Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, expressed reservations and opted not to sign the declaration. They quietly left the venue before the press conference, avoiding the joint announcement and underlining the lack of consensus.
The ANP, joined by leaders from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), National Democratic Movement (NDM), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), defended the resolution. They argued that military operations had not delivered peace, but instead deepened grievances, particularly in the tribal districts and Balochistan. They emphasised that resource contracts awarded to non-civilian institutions undermined provincial rights and economic justice.
ANP central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan read out the joint declaration, describing the unrest, terrorism and violation of constitutional rights in KP and Balochistan as the direct result of flawed policies of the past. He said peace and development in Pakistan could only be achieved through democracy, supremacy of the constitution and respect for provincial rights.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of JUI-F, went further by questioning the government’s writ in KP’s tribal areas, claiming that armed groups openly collect extortion from the public. He asserted that such groups demand up to ten per cent of officially approved development funds. He also raised doubts about the revival of the jirga system after seven years of FATA’s merger with KP, suggesting that the government had failed to implement genuine governance in the region.
Other leaders echoed concerns. Mohsin Dawar of the NDM, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao of QWP, and Sanaullah Baloch of BNP-M highlighted the plight of displaced families, with nearly 55,000 people uprooted from Bajaur’s Mamund tehsil due to fresh military operations. They warned that prolonged curfews and arbitrary action against civilians risk fuelling further unrest.
The resolution condemned the formation of so-called death squads, illegal armed groups, and the conversion of the Frontier Constabulary into a federal force. It opposed merging Levies with the police in Balochistan and demanded a judicial inquiry into the killing of ANP leader Maulana Khan Zeb. It also regretted the lack of arrests in cases involving the murder of ANP leaders, calling it evidence of impunity.
The conference also addressed the humanitarian dimension, noting the worsening flood situation in KP and announcing the postponement of the planned Islamabad Peace March, initially scheduled for August 23. The ANP said a new date would be decided later through consultations.
While the declaration resonated with nationalist and regional parties, the absence of PML-N and PPP from the final announcement drew attention to the delicate balance they maintain as ruling coalition partners. Both parties have repeatedly avoided taking positions that might strain relations with the establishment, particularly when it comes to counterterrorism policies, provincial autonomy, and control over economic resources. Their decision to abstain from endorsing the resolution reflected these constraints.
Political analysts say the episode is a stark reminder of how fragile opposition unity remains on sensitive issues. Despite their partnership in government, the PML-N and PPP are cautious not to align with narratives perceived as directly challenging state institutions. On the other hand, ANP and its allies insist that without addressing grievances in KP and Balochistan, peace will remain elusive.
The discord is unfolding at a time when Pakistan faces a surge in militant violence, particularly after the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire in late 2022. KP and Balochistan have borne the brunt of this wave, with frequent attacks on security forces, civilians, and political workers.
Opposition parties say indiscriminate operations and centralised control over provincial resources have exacerbated alienation rather than resolving underlying causes.
Observers believe that unless mainstream parties are willing to take bold positions on these structural issues, peace and development in conflict-hit regions will remain a distant goal. The ANP’s effort to build a cross-party consensus around these demands has once again exposed how deep the fault lines run within Pakistan’s political landscape.
The walkout of PML-N and PPP from the conference not only undermined the strength of the resolution but also illustrated the challenge of forging a united stance on civil-military relations, provincial rights, and governance in restive regions. The fault lines revealed in this APC are expected to cast a shadow on future attempts to mobilise joint opposition platforms.
