No forward block: PTI
Former premier Imran Khan is facing several challenges as he is fighting for his political survival. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday said that several ambiguities surrounding the oath-taking process of elected local government representatives have been cleared.
A total of 36 elected PTI chairmen have successfully taken their oaths of office, dispelling opposition claims of a forward block or refusals to swear in.
The spokesperson emphasised that despite facing challenging circumstances, the elected representatives of PTI remain steadfast in their commitment to the party. The spokesperson urged for the prompt swearing-in of the arrested PTI UC chairmen before the elections for the mayor take place.
However, some PTI representatives were unable to take the oath due to their arrests. The UC-5 chairman of PTI, who is currently held in Sukkur Jail, and senior PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi from UC-2 Jinnah Town were among those unable to participate in the oath-taking ceremony.
Malik Umar Daraz from UC-10 North Nazimabad and Amjad Hussain from UC-5 Korangi Town also faced the same predicament.
The PTI spokesperson for Karachi highlighted that Shahid Ansari, the chairman of UC-5 Chanesar Town, was arrested before being able to take the oath, and Muhammad Mustafa from UC Mominabad was also unable to participate due to his arrest.
The arrested chairmen were not presented for the swearing-in process, and the District Returning Officers (DROs) were expected to issue production orders to facilitate their participation. However, due to alleged malice from the Sindh government, the DROs under their jurisdiction did not issue the necessary production orders.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2023.