PTI’s imprisoned founder Imran Khan has delivered a clear message to his party’s leadership: either resisting mounting pressure or sub -ways with the party, according to PTI’s legal spokesman Naeem Haider Panjutha.
In a speech with the media outside Adiala Prison on Saturday, Panjutha claimed that the judiciary has become completely subordinate to the government and that the goals behind the 26th constitutional change have become plenty of clear as PTI leaders and supporters are sentenced and disqualified.
On Saturday’s case about the Toshakhana 2 case, Panjutha said the hearing was scheduled to take place in Adiala Prison but could not continue as planned. “Only some of the legal representatives gained access, while others were cut off from participating. As a result, no significant procedures occurred,” he said. He added that the former first lady Bushra Bibi Boikotted the hearing in protest.
Panjutha remembered Imran as saying during the meeting: “The truth is ultimately reigns, while falsehood is destined to fail.” Furthermore, the imprisoned PTI founder claimed that judges from anti-terrorism (ATC) and others are dealing with the government, retaining CCTV recordings related to the events on May 9.
Panjutha pointed to the penalty of MNA Latif Chitrali as evidence of what he described as a wider campaign to disqualify the PTI legislators elected. “If senior leaders like Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were to leave the party today, they would probably be released,” he claimed.
Panjutha, who draws parallels with previous judicial controversy, claimed that former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar had played a role similar to Justice Munir undermining the independence of the court. He further criticized the election appeal process and claimed it was monitored by the same election commission for Pakistan officials who were allegedly involved in electoral practice.
According to Panjutha, Imran has instructed the party to adopt a strategy for peaceful resistance and reject any additional confrontation or violence. “The President has made it clear: No more bullets. Our protests will now be peaceful,” he said. “He personally wants to lead the movement behind the pillars as all other democratic paths have been closed.”
Imran, added Panjutha, considers himself a prisoner for the cause of “haqiqi azadi” (Real Freedom). He added that all political forces that believe in human rights will be invited to participate in PTI’s protest movement. “Participation is voluntary,” he said, “but the movement will continue with or without them.”
