PTI accuses govt of coercing lawmakers

The PTI, which is likely to emerge as the biggest party in the National Assembly after the Supreme Court’s Friday ruling in the reserved seats case, now accuses the PML-N-led government of using both coercive measures and temptations to force its lawmakers to switch loyalties.

The PTI had not contested the February 8 general elections as a political party in view of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) December 22, 2023 order, stripping it of its election symbol.

In the elections, PTI backed candidates had to participate as independents. They had later joined the little known Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) after the announcement of the official results.

However, on July 12, a full-bench of the Supreme Court practically resurrected the party by annulling the ECP’s decision not to allocate reserved seats in the national and provincial legislatures to the SIC.

The candidates who had not shown affiliation with the PTI while submitting their nomination papers can, however, now show their affiliation with the party by submitting affidavits. The party now accused the government of pressuring these members not to join the party.

Leader of Opposition in the NA Omar Ayub on Sunday said the government is exerting pressure through administrative officials to prevent their lawmakers in the national and provincial assemblies from signing affiliation oaths with the PTI.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X on Sunday, Omar claimed that commissioners in various divisions in Punjab are allegedly contacting the party’s lawmakers.

“They are being lured by offers from [Prime Minister] Shahbaz Sharif and [Punjab Chief Minister] Maryam Nawaz of ministries and other temptations. [We] have names and evidence of these commissioners,” he said.

Omar said this served as a clear warning to these government officials engaged in unlawful activities, vowing to publicly shame those individuals.

“As the leader of the opposition, I will personally initiate legal proceedings against these individuals and pursue them in courts. Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz should be ashamed; they haven’t learned their lesson,” he added.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan also strongly condemned “the heavy-handed approach and coercive measures” aimed at compelling the party lawmakers to switch loyalties.

He also demanded that the Supreme Court ensure implementation of its historic judgement and take notice of the abduction and harassment of PTI MPs and their relatives.