It was the afternoon of October 7, 1983, and former dictator Common Ziaul Haq’s martial regulation was in impact, when a younger man determined to steer a procession in Quetta to demand the restoration of democracy. Regardless of grave life threats, his stance remained agency, even when 4 of his supporters have been shot useless, and dozens have been injured by the authorities.
As we speak, the person, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, has been appointed chief of the opposition within the Nationwide Meeting. His identify for the slot was really helpful by incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan final 12 months.
Prior to now few years, Mehmood Khan’s identify has appeared within the mainstream media one time too many. However who is that this man, and what’s his story?
Entry into politics
Mehmood Khan, whose identify and face have been a mainstay of the opposition benches for many years, was born within the village of Inayatullah Karez, Gulistan, in Balochistan’s Killa Abdullah Khan, which on the time was a part of the Quetta-Pishin district.
He acquired his early schooling in Gulistan and accomplished his F.Sc. from Science School, Quetta, earlier than graduating with a level in Civil Engineering from the Peshawar College of Engineering.
A significant however tragic turning level in his life got here on December 2, 1973, when his father, Khan Abdul Samad Khan, was martyred in Quetta due to his political stance.
Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai had parted methods with the Nationwide Awami Occasion (NAP) after the abolition of One Unit. This determination was taken after Common Ayub’s resignation, when NAP leaders had already been launched, however Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai was nonetheless in jail.
In protest, Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai fashioned a brand new celebration referred to as the Pashtunkhwa Nationwide Awami Occasion — a choice that in the end led to his assassination. Sarcastically, the strongest opposition didn’t come from the NAP management or the Pakistani institution but additionally from Afghan President Daoud Khan, who disliked Abdul Samad Khan’s argument of forming a separate “Pashtunistan province” by uniting all Pashtun areas.
It was throughout this era, after finishing his schooling, that younger Mehmood Khan was thrust instantly right into a political storm. Following his father’s assassination, he was nominated within the subsequent by-election, which was not only a political contest. It was painted as a conflict between Afghan President Daoud and then-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The rise of the maverick
In January 1974, only a few days earlier than the election, Mehmood Khan acquired a message {that a} senior Afghan official needed to fulfill him. Together with two companions — one in all whom had been his slain father’s deputy — he went to a border village close to Chaman, the place the governor of Kandahar arrived in a Mercedes.
The dialog started politely, however when Mehmood Khan refused to vary his stance, he was bluntly warned that this election was really a contest between Daoud and Bhutto, and that he ought to withdraw and rejoin the NAP.
Whereas his colleague couldn’t face up to the strain, the younger and fiery Mehmood Khan displayed what has been described as exceptional braveness. “That is the political legacy of my chief and father. It’s the principled stance for which he was martyred. If President Daoud considers this a contest with Bhutto, then inform Daoud he has already misplaced,” he had mentioned.
At a time when worry prevented anybody else from taking on the celebration’s management, this heavy duty fell on the younger shoulders of Mehmood Khan. From the very starting, he swam towards the tides, one purpose why he stays the one politician within the nation who, with out the assist or patronage of any home or overseas institution, has sustained his political existence solely by way of his personal resilience and the sacrifices of his employees.
One goal
Actually, Mahmood Khan Achakzai has performed a central function in shaping and main varied opposition political actions in Pakistan, constantly standing for democratic rights, constitutionalism and federalism.
Throughout Common Ziaul Haq’s dictatorship, he was an lively participant within the Motion for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD), the place he allied with progressive and democratic forces to withstand army rule. Within the late Nineties, he co-founded the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Motion (PONAM), uniting nationalist events from smaller provinces to battle for provincial autonomy and equal rights throughout the federation.
Later, as a part of the All Events Democratic Motion (APDM), he joined mainstream political forces in opposing Common Pervez Musharraf’s army regime and demanding free and honest elections. Extra not too long ago, Mehmood Khan was seen as a outstanding determine within the Pakistan Democratic Motion (PDM), a broad alliance of opposition events fashioned to problem authoritarianism, uphold parliamentary supremacy, and make sure the sanctity of the Structure.
In 2025, he launched the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan, a brand new political platform geared toward uniting numerous political and social forces to safeguard the 1973 Structure, strengthen democratic establishments, and promote civilian supremacy.
His steady involvement in these actions displays his lifelong dedication to democracy, provincial rights, constitutionalism and rule of regulation in Pakistan’s political panorama.
