APC Seeks SIFC End, New Democracy Charter

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The All Parties Conference (APC), held in Islamabad on August 1, 2025, issued a strong call for the abolition of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The gathering also proposed the creation of a new Charter of Democracy, aiming to safeguard Pakistan’s democratic principles and constitutional integrity.

The event was organized by the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), a coalition of opposition parties and civil society actors. Addressing the press, former senator and political leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar read the joint declaration, condemning what he described as authoritarianism that undermines democratic institutions. The statement highlighted growing concerns over centralized governance and the shrinking role of democratic processes in Pakistan.

One of the primary criticisms raised at the conference was the role of the SIFC, a body established to streamline foreign investment. The APC declared that the council undermines provincial autonomy and violates the spirit of the 18th Amendment by enabling the federal transfer of vast tracts of land—particularly for corporate agricultural projects—without adequate provincial input. The declaration singled out the Green Initiative Company as a key beneficiary of such transfers, raising concerns about unequal resource distribution and lack of accountability.

The conference also called for the immediate repeal of the 26th Amendment, arguing that it compromises the independence of the judiciary. The amendment, passed in late 2024, was portrayed by the APC as weakening the legal system’s ability to function without interference, thus eroding public trust in judicial fairness.

In addition to these structural reforms, the APC urged the formation of an autonomous Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) capable of conducting free and fair elections. The conference participants rejected the legitimacy of the 2024 general elections and demanded institutional reforms to restore public confidence in the democratic process.

Further emphasis was placed on provincial rights, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where concerns were raised about local governance and security. The declaration called for an end to illegal militias, fair trials for missing persons, and greater respect for constitutional protections in these regions.

The proposals reflect a coordinated effort by opposition groups to reassert democratic norms and respond to rising discontent over governance. While it remains unclear how the government will respond, the APC’s agenda signals a renewed push for accountability, decentralisation, and political reform.