ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday condemned the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) move to postpone elections in Punjab, as the party protested against the violation. Announced to go to the Supreme Court. of the Constitution”. A day earlier, the Election Organizing Authority had announced the postponement of the upcoming polls in the country’s largest province – citing security reasons behind the change in planning. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled separately. In the light of the decision, President Arif Alvi announced the date of elections in Punjab after consultation with ECP.
“Today everyone should stand behind the legal community – the judiciary and lawyers in the hope that they will protect the Constitution,” he tweeted. “Because if it is accepted today, it is the end of the rule of law in Pakistan.”
In another tweet, Imran Khan said that we dissolved our 2 provincial assemblies with the hope that the elections as clearly mentioned in our constitution will be held in 90 days. We did not take this action to allow a group of fascists to impose a reign of terror in violation of the Constitution and the law.
In a series of late-night tweets, the PTI chairman said: “Enough is enough. Police in Punjab and Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today [PTI Chairman Focal Person] Azhar Mashwani was abducted from Lahore in the afternoon and his whereabouts are unknown.
“On March 18, Senator Shibli Faraz and Umar Sultan were badly beaten up by the ICT police while both were allowed inside the judicial complex. Hasan Niazi was abducted soon after being granted bail and later Fake FIRs were filed to keep it closed.
“I am sending the photos of IGs Punjab and ICT and all the officers involved in this criminal behavior to international human rights organizations, so that they are working for the state and are involved in kidnappings, illegal house breaking, custodial violence. and identify those involved in violence against political leaders and unarmed workers of Tehreek-e-Insaaf.Demand for the immediate release of Azhar Mashwani.
Also, while addressing a joint press conference on Thursday, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that his party was against the ECP’s decision to postpone the date of general elections in Punjab from April 30 to October 8. will be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Along with PTI Secretary General Asad Umar, Fawad announced that he was approaching the Supreme Court against the ECP for “violating the Constitution”.
“There is no option but to hold elections on April 30,” the PTI leader insisted. He further said that in the application of the former ruling party, the court will be requested to conduct the elections in the province as per the previous schedule.
Turning his guns on the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Fawad said the joint session of Parliament called on Wednesday was aimed at “attacking the Supreme Court”.
It may be mentioned here that the joint session was held on Wednesday instead of the 10th of next month to “take important decisions” to implement the powers of the state. The meeting was called by PTI Chairman Imran Khan amid prolonged anti-government protests. National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had exercised his powers under the Joint Sitting Rules 1973 to change the schedule of the joint session of Parliament.
Fawad claimed that the judges were being blackmailed and pressured.
Expressing solidarity with the Supreme Court and its judges, the senior PTI leader said that lakhs of people stand with the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court.
Fawad appealed to the judges of the Supreme Court and said that it is your duty to protect the constitution.
Expressing surprise, the former information minister said they were not part of the agenda for Wednesday’s session, adding that the “main target” of the Parliament session was the Supreme Court.
Fawad further said that he is ready to discuss the elections.
He said that for the first time in the country’s history, a civilian government tried to subvert the constitution, adding that the nation’s demand is to apply Article 6 to the five members of the election watchdog.
On his part, Asad Umar called the ECP’s decision to postpone the election in Punjab against the orders of the Supreme Court.
The PTI Secretary General demanded that elections be held in the province on April 30.
The PTI leader said that the High Courts of Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore had made it clear in their orders that the ECP cannot change the election date. He further said that deviation from the constitution will not be allowed. He also hoped that the Supreme Court would also hear his plea against KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali. He said that the PTI had decided to participate in the joint session of Parliament which was adjourned till March 27. Asad Umar said that the party’s senators would raise their voice against the ‘unconstitutional move’ of the ECP. “Constitutionally, a caretaker government ceases to be legal after the expiry of its 90-day term,” he said. He also condemned the police action against PTI and said that the houses of PTI leaders and workers are being raided while many members are currently under arrest.
