In the first phase of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s “Jail Bharo tehreek (Court Arrest Movement)”, senior party leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar have decided to voluntarily surrender themselves to the authorities.
While giving a press conference in Lahore, senior party leader Fawad Chaudhry said that PTI Vice Chairman Qureshi and PTI Secretary General Umar have announced voluntary surrender before the law enforcement agencies.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced the ‘Jail Bharo tehreek’ on February 4 in the wake of sedition cases against his party leaders including Fawad Chaudhry, Azam Swati and Shehbaz Gul.
Fawad reportedly welcomed the statement issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the body is ready to hold elections in 90 days.
He called the announcement “a step in the right direction”. In the same breath, the PTI leader said that President Arif Alvi has set April 9 as the date for general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – which the ruling coalition rejected – adding that as per the Election Act, the date Cannot be changed. and constitution.
A day after the ECP apologized for consulting President Alvi regarding the elections in the provinces, the head of state on Monday (yesterday) announced that elections would be held in both provinces on April 9.
Moving towards the upcoming elections in the country, the PTI leader said that the party will start distributing tickets to candidates from next week. PTI’s election campaign will reach its climax when Khan joins it in a week and a half.
Chaudhry said that Khan has directed the party to start preparations for the upcoming elections. He urged the PTI candidates to start campaigning in their respective constituencies.
He further said that PTI will conduct public awareness campaign across the country.
Referring to the notices issued by the National Accountability Court (NAB) to the PTI leadership in the Tosha Khana scandal, Fawad said that the chairman of the anti-graft watchdog has exposed the government by resigning.
In a separate statement, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that four other PTI leaders would surrender with him and if the police did not arrest them, they would make another attempt from Multan.
The former foreign minister further said that ‘if the election process is started on the advice of President Arif Alvi, there will be no need for motion for judicial arrest’.
Qureshi welcomed Parvez Elahi to PTI but avoided the question regarding the former Punjab CM’s presidential status in PTI.
Aftab Sultan resigns
Earlier today, Aftab Sultan resigned as Chairman NAB after allegedly refusing to “toe the line”.
Speaking to JEE News, Sultan said that I resigned from the post a few days ago. “I was asked to do some things that I was not comfortable with.”
Referring to Khan’s appearance before the Lahore High Court (LHC) a day earlier, Fawad said the way the PTI chairman was received by workers had created uneasiness in the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government. Is.
PTI Lahore Chapter President Imtiaz Shaikh announced that former Punjab Governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Waleed Iqbal, Murad Ras, Muhammad Khan Madani and Fawad Rasool along with 200 workers will voluntarily surrender themselves to the authorities tomorrow in Metropolis. .
He further said that “Jail Bharo Tehreek” will start from Charing Cross, Lahore at 2 PM.
‘IMF deal tactic to avoid default’
On his part, PTI leader Azhar criticized the coalition government over the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023.
A day earlier, the National Assembly unanimously approved the government’s much-needed ‘money budget’ – a move required to secure a $1.1 billion loan tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Reacting to this move, the former finance minister said that the bill was sent through the National Assembly against the law and the constitution. The PTI leader criticized Finance Minister Ishaq Dar saying that he has brought the country to the brink of economic collapse.
He described the IMF agreement as a tactic to avoid default. Azhar criticized the ruling coalition for rising inflation in the country.
“Snap elections are the only solution to instability,” the PTI leader claimed and urged the ECP to announce the date for the polls.
Azhar said that amid rising inflation, economic collapse, violation of the constitution, and violence against PTI workers, the party has no other option but to resort to judicial arrest.
