PTI's Azhar outlines Isa's 'shameful' rulings

LAHORE:

PTI Punjab Acting President Hammad Azhar on Friday issued a statement, voicing severe criticism of former chief justice Qazi Faez Isa's rulings, alleging they unfairly targeted the PTI and its leadership.

He outlined several decisions which he deemed "shameful," citing them as detrimental to democratic and judicial processes in Pakistan.

Azhar alleged that Justice Isa stripped the PTI of its electoral symbol, endorsed military courts without resolving appeal procedures, and replaced judicial officers with bureaucrats as Returning Officers for February 8 general elections.

He contended that Justice Isa blocked notifications of respected judges for Punjab's electoral tribunals upon the Election Commission of Pakistan's request, and weakened Article 63-A of the Constitution to enable alleged horse-trading in the establishment-backed parliament.

Azhar also accused Justice Isa of manipulating case benches to disadvantage the PTI and its leader Imran Khan, reversing the PTI's victories at the ECP through "staged recounts," and overlooking human rights abuses, misuse of power, and the issue of missing persons.

Referring to the February 8 election, he claimed Justice Isa turned a blind eye to "the largest mandate theft" since 1971, facilitating an alleged major democratic violation.