Amid the ongoing tussle between the parliament and the judiciary over the date of elections in Punjab, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a major opposition party, on Monday announced to hold public rallies at 101 locations in Islamabad on May 14, when the Supreme The Punjab Assembly elections are going to be held on the order of the court.
The development comes a day after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial – without naming anyone – said: “Please don’t say you support us. I am only one of the members of the Supreme Court.”
He expressed these views while addressing the ceremony held in Lahore regarding minority rights. He said that support should be extended to the Supreme Court and not to any individual.
The Chief Justice said that protection of the Constitution is the primary responsibility of the Supreme Court, adding that the decision of the court is final if not challenged.
Earlier on May 6, the PTI held a rally in Lahore to “support the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the Chief Justice of Pakistan”.
Addressing the rally, PTI chairman Imran Khan – who was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April last year – said: “It is the decision of the entire nation that the Constitution and Stand by this mafia. It is pressuring the Chief Justice and [other] judges and spreading propaganda against them.”
The PTI chairman had announced that his party would hold rallies every day till May 14.
According to a statement issued by PTI, it has sought formal permission from the district administrator of Islamabad to hold public meetings at 101 places in the capital. He added that the capital city administration has been informed about the rallies through a letter.
PTI leader Ali Nawaz Awan said that his party will hold rallies on May 14 at 4 pm to show solidarity with the Constitution and the Chief Justice.
“The Constitution provides rights to citizens, including freedom of movement, assembly and speech,” he added.
