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.’ [8] [9]
The PTI announced an alliance with Mahmood Khan Achakzai and his PkMAP to contest the validity of the election results. [10] 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. [10] Furthermore, the JI and the JUI(F) reported rigging. [11] 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. [6] The movement was founded following several opposition meetings between parties which were mediated by Asad Qaiser, a PTI senior member. [12]
The JUI(F) has not joined the alliance, despite being invited by PTI senior leaders Omar Ayub and Asad Qaiser, with JUI(F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman saying he sought guarantees prior to joining. [13] In May 2024, JUI(F) and PTI agreed to launch a joint movement. [14]
Other parties in February 2024 such as the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), the National Party (NP), and the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) have led protests in Balochistan unrelated to the TTAP alliance. [15]
