ISLAMABAD: Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan formally launched the Pakistan Rights Movement (PRM) on 10 January 2026, inaugurating an independent political platform for constitutional rights, civilian supremacy and principled reform, according to coverage by Pakistani outlets including The Nation and Dunya News.
Khan, who serves as the party's chairman, unveiled the movement at a press conference in the federal capital, The Nation reported. Wikipedia's entry on the party describes PRM as "an Islamic and democratic political platform committed to reform in accordance with the 1973 Constitution."
The party launched under the slogan "Rights, Resistance, Reforms" with its headquarters in Islamabad, and its stated ideology centres on constitutional rights, civilian supremacy and principled reform pursued through a democratic, non-violent and peaceful struggle, according to PRM's founding material and its Wikipedia entry.
A constitutional platform
At the launch, Khan said the party would operate strictly in accordance with the 1973 Constitution and would work for constitutional rule, social justice and the protection of fundamental rights, according to The Nation. Dunya News reported that he criticised the current parliamentary system, terming it "fake."
PRM's founding documents set out a three-point agenda the movement calls the Three Rs: Rights, defined as defending the constitutional, human, social and economic rights of all citizens; Resistance, standing against injustice, oppression, corruption and abuse of power, always peacefully; and Reform, working for changes in laws, institutions and society for a fair and dignified future. The party frames its struggle around four corners it describes as legal, democratic, non-violent and peaceful.
The chairman also called for the release of "all political prisoners," naming PTI founder Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhary and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, according to The Nation. He reaffirmed support for Palestine and Kashmir and for the repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the same report said.
From Jamaat-e-Islami to an independent platform
The launch followed Khan's break with Jamaat-e-Islami, the party he had served for years. He submitted his resignation on 19 September 2025 while aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, and announced the decision publicly on 9 October 2025 during an appearance on Geo News' "Capital Talk," according to The News.
Explaining the decision, Khan said he wanted to work more freely on humanitarian and rights issues. "I want to openly advocate for human rights, democracy, free media, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Palestine, and the constitutional rights of federating units," he told The News. He added that "organisations have their own boundaries, and sometimes one needs freedom to work independently."
Khan, born on 3 March 1974 in Sheikh Jana, Swabi District, holds a master's degree in Physics from the University of Peshawar and served as a senator from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 12 March 2018 and 12 March 2024, according to his Wikipedia entry.
Recent Palestine activism
The founding came months after Khan joined the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza. He was detained by Israeli forces on 2 October 2025 about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast and released on 7 October 2025, according to Wikipedia. Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed the release, saying Khan had "been released and is now safely with Pakistan Embassy in Amman," Arab News reported.
PRM handles membership through its chief organiser, Daniyal Abdullah, via WhatsApp, according to the party's own material.
