PTI slams ‘politically motivated’ cases against Imran

Tensions arose among members with SIC Chairman Hamid Raza airing grievances during core committee meeting

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched a scathing critique against what it perceives as unjust and politically motivated legal actions targeting its founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan. In a strongly worded statement, PTI leadership asserted that the charges leveled against Khan lack both legal merit and constitutional validity.

The condemnation came following the party’s core committee meeting convened on Thursday, where party leaders vehemently denounced what they described as a targeted campaign against Imran Khan. Among the examples cited were the Toshakhana and cypher cases, which PTI claims have been met with hasty judgments.

Expressing frustration over perceived delays in the appeals process against what they term as unconstitutional verdicts, the committee assembled at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad under the chairmanship of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.

Notable attendees included Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Opposition Leader of the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, and several other prominent members from PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council.

During the meeting, discussions centered on Senate candidate nominations and addressed critical issues related to ongoing legal proceedings. Imran Khan's legal team briefed committee members on the status of ongoing cases, leading to a unanimous demand for their immediate dismissal.

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Initial talks primarily focused on Khan's legal battles, extending to consultations on decisions made by the Peshawar High Court and subsequent courses of action. Ali Amin Gandapur also briefed attendees on a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

However, tensions and controversies arose among members, with SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza airing grievances. Additionally, clashes erupted among top party leaders, including Latif Khosa, Salman Akram Raja, Shoaib Shaheen, and Sher Afzal Marwat, leading to the premature exit of several members.

Emphasising the importance of upholding legal and constitutional principles in handling Imran Khan's cases, the committee urged for the dismissal of what they termed as baseless allegations. Concerns were also raised regarding the safety of former first lady Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan's wife, amid reports of her alleged detention in Bani Gala sub jail against her will. The committee vehemently opposed her purported detention and called for enhanced security measures to ensure her well-being.

Furthermore, the committee condemned the recounting of votes in several constituencies of Punjab, denouncing it as unconstitutional. Allegations were made that seats won by PTI were unlawfully transferred to rival parties, notably the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), since February 8. The committee demanded a comprehensive audit of affected constituencies based on authentic Form-45 documents, along with the restoration of allegedly misappropriated seats in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.

In an informal interaction with the media, PTI Central President Chaudhry Pervez Elahi criticised the ban on meetings in Adiala Jail as illegal and unconstitutional. He voiced concerns that the public's mandate for PTI was being undermined, leading to what he referred to as the rise of 'TikTok rulers'. Elahi warned that those in power should fear divine retribution, as people are increasingly turning to divine justice.

Elahi also announced PTI's intention to stage nationwide protests until its perceived mandate is restored, hinting at a potential coalition among opposition parties against alleged election irregularities. These remarks were made during Elahi's appearance at the FIA Court in Lahore, where he addressed journalists.