Lawmakers say they will not support the budget until Imran Khan is allowed to hold meetings and released
Reconciliation efforts between the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and its dissident lawmakers in the provincial assembly have failed as the disgruntled members have taken a hard line and decided not to support the upcoming budget without prior consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan.
At a meeting held in Peshawar, the dissident lawmakers linked their movement to the campaign for Imran’s release. A statement issued by the group said the participants discussed the prevailing political situation and various other issues in detail during the meeting.
The statement strongly condemned the denial of a meeting between the founder and his family once again, calling it a violation of fundamental human rights, the law and the constitution. “We strongly condemn this move,” the statement read.
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The dissidents warned that unless a comprehensive and workable strategy is adopted for the former prime minister’s release, the federal government will not allow him to meet his family, lawyers or party leaders, nor will there be any clear progress on his medical treatment.
“Under these circumstances, all assembly members call and demand party leaders to come forward and advance the movement for Imran Khan’s release under a comprehensive, organized and viable strategy,” the statement said, adding that the current protest process appears disorganized and reflects a lack of seriousness.
The statement welcomed the stand taken by Aleema Bibi and KP Chief Minister regarding the new fiscal year budget and termed it as a positive step representing the voice of every PTI worker.
“For this reason, all assembly members today clearly and unanimously supported the position that the budget should not be presented in the assembly until the chief minister is allowed a meeting with leader Imran Khan,” the statement said. “We all stand by this position and are ready to go after it to any extent.”
