Imran throws down the gauntlet

Says PTI won't be silent spectator to constitutional tweaks

RAWALPINDI:

As the ruling coalition mulls constitutional amendments aimed at sweeping judicial reforms, PTI founder Imran Khan on Saturday threw down the gauntlet, warning the government that the opposition party would resist any move to erode the judiciary's powers tooth and nail.

"Sacrifices are essential for freedom. Democracy is being slaughtered, and they are about to enslave the nation", said PTI founder Imran Khan while talking to journalists after a hearing of the £190 corruption case.

The former prime minister lambasted the ruling coalition for its alleged attempt to extend the term of incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa through a constitutional amendment.

"They want to protect human rights violations and electoral fraud. The new constitutional amendment is being made to bring in Qazi Faez Isa. There is no democracy left in the country. When a party with less than 20 seats was seated in parliament, that was the end of democracy," he said.

According to Imran, there are restrictions on the media, and judges are being threatened.

Criticizing the ruling PML-N, he said: They talked about respecting the vote [democracy], but in reality, they honored the boot [army].

"An FIR has been filed against me for a social media post. Why don't they also read the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report to the nation? If they had implemented that report, martial law would never have been imposed in Pakistan," he added.

The former prime minister said his party was getting prepared for a street movement and will hold a rally in Lahore, come what may. "Holding a rally is our democratic and constitutional right, but for the past year and a half, we have not been allowed to do so. Has Punjab become a police state where we are not allowed to hold a rally?" Imran said

He said authorities put up lots of hurdles but the PTI managed to hold a huge rally in Islamabad last week on September 8. He said people have to make sacrifices in the struggle for "independence".

According to Imran who is incarcerated at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since last year, the ruling PML-N and PPP are not doing politics but are engaging in servitude.

"I am ready to sacrifice my life, but I will never accept anyone's subjugation. What is happening to us today could happen to them tomorrow as well," he said.

The PTI founder condemned the recent arrest of PTI lawmakers from inside the Parliament House and described it as unprecedented.

When a journalist noted that police had entered the Parliament Lodges also during the PTI's rule, Imran said was not aware of any such incident. "No one has ever been taken from parliament until now," he said.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was about to be convicted in a money laundering case, but former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa saved him.

When another journalist referred to a drugs case registered against PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah during the PTI's government, he said the case was made by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), whose head is a major general. "I called the ANF head, and he presented evidence against Rana Sanaullah during a briefing to the cabinet."

When a journalist mentioned that some PTI leaders had said the drugs case against Rana Sanaullah was false, and asked if he also considered it false, Imran said, "The case was made by the ANF, and they were the ones who told us that the drugs were seized from Rana Sanaullah. How would we know?"

Barrister Gohar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairmain Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has criticised the government's potential move to introduce a constitutional amendment bill, stating that such action without following due procedure is against parliamentary rules.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad on Saturday, Gohar expressed frustration with the government's tendency to pass legislation "under the cover of darkness."

"We have always said that if you want to legislate, follow the proper procedure. The Constitution clearly outlines the legislative process, and we must adhere to the law and the Rules of Business," he remarked.

Gohar highlighted that private member bills first go to a committee, requiring permission a month prior, before being placed on the agenda. "Government bills are handled by the ministry, then passed through the cabinet with the prime minister's signature. Rules of Business 16 and 27 require the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs to advance these bills," he explained.

He further criticised the current government's approach: "There has been no cabinet meeting, no approval. If the bill is introduced without these steps, it will be a clear violation of the rules."

Zartaj Gul, a PTI leader, also condemned the government's actions, referring to the abduction of the wife, daughter, and aunt of Faisalabad MNA Saadullah Baloch. "They were told to present themselves before unknown entities. Imagine, present themselves to whom?" she questioned.

She also raised concerns over the disappearance of another PTI member, Aurangzeb Kachhi, stating, "For three days, we've had no news of him. The PML-N's unconstitutional actions will not only harm Pakistan but also damage parliament."