LAHORE:
In anticipation of the next by-elections scheduled on April 21, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has said that it will hold public rallies across the country, giving special attention to the state of Punjab.
Party leader Sher Afzal Marwat and other officials, accompanied by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, spoke to the media outside Adiala Jail and affirmed that a planned meeting with the party founder was in compliance with the high court’s orders, which had authorized the gathering.
The party’s chairman declared that prior to the by-elections, the party would hold public rallies in Punjab and other areas per Imran Khan’s orders. Senior party members are anticipated to attend these rallies in Punjab, which Imran Khan has specially assigned Sher Afzal Marwat to lead.
It was also reported that Imran Khan gave the party’s leadership the order to reform the organization’s national efforts, with a focus on Punjab.
Sher Afzal Marwat, Barrister Gohar, and Omar Ayub were given the task of organizing the party across Punjab and KP and holding rallies before of the by-elections.He emphasised that Sher Afzal Marwat had been assigned by the party’s founder to tour constituencies that were up for by-elections and encourage candidates to call meetings as soon as possible in those places.
Furthermore, Gohar and Omar Ayub were tasked with going to parties in Sindh and Punjab.
Speaking about the details of the meeting with Imran Khan, Gohar chastised the jail administration for disobeying the court’s directive and denying PTI leadership privacy.
He emphasized that a glass screen had been erected between Imran Khan and his guests for the first time. Imran Khan gave Sher Afzal Marwat instructions to sue the jail administration for contempt of court in reaction to this meddling.
In retrospect, Gohar shared that Imran Khan expressed anger with the outstanding cases in the Supreme Court and expressed concerns about the perceived status of the country. He also argued for the equal application of the law.
Barrister Gohar further disclosed that the PTI’s founder had instructed him to organize a demonstration in favor of judicial independence.
The PTI chairman also bemoaned the acts of the Pakistani Election Commission in rejecting the party’s nominees in the guise of a vote recount.
During the discussion with PTI’s founder, Sher Afzal Marwat revealed that a hidden camera was present in a lightbulb. She expressed alarm about the jail authorities’ persistent disregard for court orders.
Concurrently, Omar Ayub Khan, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and the secretary general of the PTI, denounced as pre-poll rigging the actions of the Punjab government and provincial police against PTI candidates and supporters in advance of the April 21 by-elections.
At a press conference with PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, Omar called for the public dissemination of the findings of the Faizabad inquiry as well as the prosecution of individuals involved.
He cited incidents where Punjab police harassed the PTI candidate in PP-36, interfering with party rallies and conducting raids on his home. Omar attacked the Punjab Chief Minister and the Inspector General of Punjab, claiming they were inept and that they were using force to scare PTI politicians and activists in different areas.
Omar also expressed concerns with the closing of polling places and the Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) alleged meddling in the election process. He cited the nomination of RPO Gujranwala, a relative of a PML-N candidate, to supervise elections in Wazirabad as evidence that the PTI’s seats were being targeted for decrease.
In reference to the recent occurrences in Bahawalnagar, Omar demanded an open and honest legal investigation into the altercation between army and police officers in order to hold those liable for the incident. He further stated that the incident was a sign of a lack of discipline among law enforcement.
In response to Khwaja Asif’s remarks, Omar questioned the legitimacy of police operations against PTI leaders and employees and restated the PTI’s dedication to unity under Imran Khan’s leadership.Omar warned of imminent inflation under the current administration and criticized the economic policies of the previous administration. In addition, he talked about the geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and expressed regret that Pakistan’s foreign minister had not released a statement on policy.
Speaking briefly about internal matters, Omar emphasized the value of judicial independence and the rule of law, drawing attention to worries expressed by Islamabad High Court judges about involvement from intelligence services.
Omar affirmed the PTI’s opposition alliance’s adherence to the constitution and the rule of law and urged other political parties to show a comparable commitment to the common good.
Omar concluded by highlighting the necessity of legal responsibility and advocating for the settlement of concerns in Balochistan, the fair use of resources, and an end to enforced disappearances.
