PTI condemns fresh charges in May 9 cases

Party says move is an attempt to shield wrongdoers involved in these incidents

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has vehemently opposed the introduction of new provisions in the May 9 cases and called upon the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the inclusion of fresh allegations levelled against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other party members.

A PTI spokesperson, on Thursday, underscored that the addition of new provisions in the May 9 cases represents an attempt to shield the true wrongdoers involved in these incidents.

He urged the apex court to investigate the inclusion of serious charges, such as sedition, in politically motivated cases against PTI.

Furthermore, the spokesperson called for the top court to take action against police officials involved in this misuse of the law, as well as other prosecuting authorities.

Reiterating Imran Khan's call for a high-level judicial inquiry to ascertain the true culprits behind the May 9 incidents, the spokesperson stressed that levelling serious charges, like incitement to rebellion, against the leaders and members of the country's largest party amount to a reprehensible attempt at exacting extrajudicial revenge.

The ongoing illegal actions against PTI, under the pretext of May 9 incidents, reveal sinister intentions aimed at sidelining former premier and PTI from the political arena, the spokesperson said.

He noted that more than 180 baseless cases were filed against the PTI chairman as part of a premeditated plan.
Imran Khan, while addressing the Supreme Court, strongly condemned the arson incidents of May 9, which the court subsequently incorporated into its decision, the spokesperson said, adding that despite the PTI chief’s demand for a high-level judicial inquiry into the riots, no progress had been made to date.

In response to the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) announcement to hold elections in the last week of January, the spokesperson censured the polls supervisory body for specifying an election month instead of an exact date.

The spokesperson emphasised that the Constitution mandates the ECP to conduct elections within a fixed 90-day period after the dissolution of the assembly.

Regardless of the January date chosen by the election commission, it will fall outside the constitutionally prescribed 90-day timeframe, he added.

The matter of holding elections within 90 days is currently before the Supreme Court, and the spokesperson underscored that the nation cannot accept any date beyond the stipulated 90-day period until the apex court reaches a final decision.

The election commission, the spokesperson added, has failed to create the environment required under the Constitution for fair, transparent, and impartial elections.

In accordance with the Constitution, the responsibility to conduct free, fair, and impartial elections rests with the ECP, and adhering to these principles is the only way to guide the country and its people out of the current crisis, the spokesperson concluded.