PTI urges judiciary to 'rise above pressure'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi to ensure impartial and conscience-driven decisions in all pending political cases.

Addressing a press conference, senior PTI leaders Sardar Latif Khosa and Intezar Hussain Panjutha accused the state of orchestrating baseless cases against the party leaders and workers following the May 9 events, and warned that suppressing the public mandate could push the country toward a political catastrophe reminiscent of 1971.

Khosa said that the two-year anniversary of PTI founder Imran Khan's detention was approaching on August 5, adding that despite predictions he would not survive two days in jail, the incarcerated party supremo remains firm.

"Even a child knows today who the real looters are," he said. "The authorities don't even allow Khan's sisters, wife, and children to meet him."

He asserted that the Supreme Court had already declared Imran Khan's arrest unconstitutional but lamented that no action has been taken to this day. "False cases are being registered against PTI workers nationwide," he said. "May 9 is being exploited as a pretext for political victimisation."

Khosa maintained that the people still see Imran as their prime minister. He warned that history will one day put current power holders in the dock.

"You will be answerable for the humiliation and persecution you have inflicted. We urge the judiciary to decide according to their conscience. Those acting beyond their constitutional authority must be held accountable."

Moreover, Khosa also condemned the treatment of PTI's Dr Yasmin Rashid, who was brought to court from hospital despite her poor health. "What difference would it have made if she stayed two more days in the hospital?" he asked.

He warned that circumstances similar to 1971 are being created again by disregarding the public's electoral will. "An undeclared emergency has been in place for the last three years. From day one, the objective behind the May 9 cases was to dismantle PTI's government," he alleged.

"On May 7, an orchestrated conspiracy involved an attack on a Corps Commander's residence and martyrs' memorials, but no PTI leader was physically present at the scene. Even the FIRs don't allege physical presence."

He lamented the erosion of judicial independence. "With the 26th constitutional amendment, we subordinated the judiciary. We bled for their independence, but now verdicts are known in advance, even by the media."

"We haven't learned from the 1971 tragedy, when power was denied to the winning Awami League. Today, someone who won 180 seats is in jail. This is tyranny. We will never allow our motherland to be harmed."

Citing historical injustices, Khosa said, "Justice Mushtaq who sentenced [Zulfikar Ali] Bhutto has been judged by history. Judges must serve justice now."