Latest news with #26thConstitutionalAmendment
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Quit PTI, if you can't withstand pressure, Imran tells party leaders
Listen to article PTI's incarcerated founder Imran Khan has delivered a clear message to his party's leadership: Either withstand mounting pressure or part ways with the party, according to PTI's legal spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, Panjutha alleged that the judiciary has become totally subservient to the government, and that the objectives behind the 26th Constitutional Amendment have become abundantly clear as PTI leaders and supporters are being convicted and disqualified. About Saturday's proceedings of the Toshakhana 2 case, Panjutha said that the hearing was scheduled to take place inside Adiala Jail but could not proceed as planned. "Only some of the legal representatives were granted access, while others were barred from attending. As a result, no substantive proceedings occurred," he said. He added that former first lady Bushra Bibi boycotted the hearing in protest. Panjutha recalled Imran as saying during the meeting: 'Truth ultimately prevails, while falsehood is destined to fail.' The jailed PTI founder further claimed that Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judges and others are acting in concert with the government, withholding CCTV footage related to the events of May 9. Panjutha pointed to the sentencing of MNA Latif Chitrali as evidence of what he described as a broader campaign to disqualify elected PTI lawmakers. 'If senior leaders like Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were to leave the party today, they would likely be released,' he claimed. Drawing parallels with past judicial controversies, Panjutha alleged that former chief justice Saqib Nisar had played a role similar to that of Justice Munir in undermining judicial independence. He further criticised the electoral appeals process, claiming it is being overseen by the same Election Commission of Pakistan officials allegedly involved in electoral malpractice. According to Panjutha, Imran has directed the party to adopt a strategy of peaceful resistance, rejecting any further confrontation or violence. 'The chairman has made it clear: no more bullets. Our protests will now be peaceful,' he said. 'He will personally lead the movement from behind bars, as all other democratic avenues have been closed.' Imran, Panjutha added, considers himself a prisoner for the cause of 'Haqiqi Azadi' (real freedom). He added that all political forces believing in human rights will be invited to join PTI's protest movement. 'Participation is voluntary,' he said, 'but the movement will proceed with or without them.'
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
27-year prison sentence: PTI MNA Latif claims ruling as bogus terrorism conviction
ISLAMABAD: The firebrand Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA from Chitral Abdul Latif, who was handed down a 27-year prison sentence on Friday, claimed he was given a bogus terrorism conviction after refusing a jaw-dropping Rs2 billion bribe to back the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment. A diehard loyalist of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan, Latif slammed the ruling as revenge by what he called the 'installed regime of Form 47 and its handlers, who are pulling the strings of the puppet Shehbaz Sharif regime.' An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad convicted Latif over his alleged role in the chaotic May 9 riots – when PTI supporters allegedly stormed police stations and government buildings. But Latif insisted the charges were bogus, calling it a false flag set up by the powers that be. Latifinsisted that he didnot even know the police station he is accused of attacking existed. 'I hadn't even heard of the Ramna Police Station until I was falsely accused,' Latif said in a defiant video message following the ATC verdict. 'Just because I support Imran Khan, they threw me into this mess.' The court's decision came down hard – 27 years for allegedly leading the charge on the Ramna PS during the nationwide unrest. But Latif, unbowed, said the real crime was his refusal to accept a massive payoff to support the controversial 26th Amendment – a move that he insisted would have betrayed his party and Khan's ideology. 'There is also a court of Allah, where no police, no pressure works,' he said, taking a fiery swipe at the lower judiciary. 'Justice will ultimately be served.' Latif remained hopeful that the higher judiciary of the country will toss out what he called a 'politically motivated and unjust' ruling. He insisted he would never sell out, no matter the price – or the prison sentence. 'No conviction, no bribe can shake my conscience,' he declared. 'I've stood by Imran Khan for 28 years – and I'm not backing down now nor will I ever in future.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Slim chances of CB upholding July 12 ruling
Listen to article Contrary to the majority opinion of a full bench of the Supreme Court, which on July 12, 2024 ordered allocation of reserved seats to the PTI, a constitutional bench (CB) reviewing the order states that the PTI is itself to blame for not getting reserved seats after the Feb 2024 general elections. While hearing review petitions in the reserved seats case, the judges are wondering as to why the PTI did not challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) orders to declare its candidates independent despite the fact that eminent lawyers were contesting elections on the PTI ticket. The judges are also consistently defending the January 13, 2024 order of the Supreme Court to declare PTI's intra party election illegal. The order had resulted in stripping the party of its election symbol Even the judge, who himself raised serious questions on the conduct of the ECP in his minority view, is criticizing the PTIs' "poor legal strategy" to get reserved seats and the decision of the PTI backed candidates to join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which had not contested in the general elections. A three-member bench led by former chief justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa announced the verdict in the PTI intra-party election case on the night of January 13, 2024the last date for submission of party symbols in the general elections. Since May 9, 2023, PTI leadership has been accusing the government of using coercive tactics to pressure its leaders into leaving the party. Even during the elections, PTI backed candidates were not allowed to run any campaign. Even nomination papers of some candidates were snatched before their submission. The bench led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa had compelled the ECP to announce the date for the general elections in consultation with the president. However, there was a serious clash between the former CJP and the PTI as the latter had filed a presidential reference for his removal during its rule. After January 13, 2024 order, the PTI had lost hope that it could get any relief from the Supreme Court led by CJP Isa and after the intra-party election case order, PTI counsel Latif Khosa had withdrawn the contempt petition filed against the ECP for not complying with the SC decision to provide level playing field to the PTI to contest the elections. Some lawyers ask as to why CJP Isa did not list the review petition against his order for hearing to clear up the ambiguity, if the ECP was misinterpreting the order by declaring PTI candidates independent. They note that if the SC could issue two clarifications in the Mubarak Sani case then why it could not take notice of the misinterpretation of its important ruling by the ECP, which is a constitutional body. Constitutional benches (CBs) have also been created in the Supreme Court and high courts in view of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which, according to the PTI, was passed using coercive tactics. The CB hearing review petitions against the SC's July 12, 2024 order in the seats case also comprises judges who are selected by the executive members in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) after passage of the 26th amendment. No explanation is given as to why the CB committee did not give a recommendation to the JCP for the inclusion of the six judges who were part of the original bench that heard the reserved seats case. Currently, no one on the bench is backing the majority decision in the reserved seats case. Even two signatories of the majority judgement are not passing any remark in favour of the July 12 verdict. Justice Ali Baqar Najfi has given a surprise by using the term "biased" for the majority decision. Only Justice Salahuddin Panwar is showing interest in reading the majority judgement. Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar said they, being junior judges, should defend the judgement under review. He, however, urged the SIC counsel Faisal Siddiqi to highlight important points for the determination at this stage. Justice Aminuddin Khan, who is leading the bench, is consistent in his approach. He has been consistently raising questions about the relief given to the PTI by the majority judges on July 12, 2024. Justice Mussarat Hilali, who was a member of the bench which had given January 13, 2024 order in the intra-party election case, is expressing concern that the majority judgement discussed the PTI intra-party election case judgement, which was not challenged before them. Faisal Siddiqi said the majority judges criticized the ECP's conduct but they did not question the January 13 order. Siddiqi is trying to read the important portions of the July 12 judgement before the bench. There are very slim chances that majority judgment will be upheld by this bench. There is a criticism that the majority judges had done judicial overreach in this case. On the other hand, PTI lawyers are saying that majority judges had tried to restore democracy which is the salient feature of the Constitution. The hearing of the case is adjourned until June 16. If the PTI could not get reserved seats, then the situation may not change but if the ruling parties get reserved seats then they will be easily in a position to get two-thirds majority in parliament, enabling them to amend the Constitution. PPP through Farooq H Naek and Asad Abbasi have filed written replies in the reserved seats case. The PPP said the order under review contravenes established principles of constitutional interpretation. By devising a procedure not contemplated under the Constitution, the order ventures into legislative territory, contrary to this honorable court's consistent jurisprudence that "the function of the court is interpretation, not legislation." The reply states that it is a settled principle of this court that when the law prescribes a specific manner and procedure for doing something, it must be followed strictly without deviation. This principle alone warrants the recall of the order under review, it added.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iqbal faults state pillars for past crises
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday that the political crises in the country were created either by one pillar of the state or the other, as he called for all sides to work for making the country economically strong. Addressing an event in connection with Youm-e-Takbeer — the anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear blasts — at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), the minister emphasised that judiciary should not be used in any political confrontation. "All crises in Pakistan were artificial and created by one of the pillars of the state. Political crises were sometimes created by the establishment and sometimes by the judiciary. The 26th Constitutional Amendment was enacted because the judiciary was used for political purposes," he said. "The decision to disqualify Nawaz Sharif in 2017 pushed the country towards a political crisis. But now even our establishment is saying that they are not interested in creating any new political party. Now they are saying that they will keep themselves away from politics." Speaking about Pakistan's nuclear blasts in 1998, he said that the six explosions on May 28 were a befitting reply to India five explosions. "The credit for laying the foundation of the nuclear programme goes to late prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan," he said. "All the succeeding governments carried this programme forward and Nawaz Sharif rejected the international pressure and carried out the explosions," he continued. "Youm-e-Takbeer is not only a celebration of past successes but also a day of our firm resolve for the future." This year's Youm-e-Takbeer celebrations came just weeks after Pakistan-India military confrontation. Iqbal said that when India challenged Pakistan, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) proved its superiority by shooting down six Indian warplanes that included three Rafales. "The latest technology, of which India was proud, was crushed by the PAF. India then cried to Washington and requested for a ceasefire, which we accepted because we want peace," the minister said. "Technology played a very important role in the success against India on May 10." The minister stressed the need for a strong economy for strong defence. He called for a national resolve to beat the enemy in the field of economy. "We have a lot of tax evasion. We are among the countries having low tax collection," he added.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Nuclear power: PTI pays tributes to scientists, engineers and unsung heroes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary (CIS) Sheikh Waqas Akram paid growing tribute to the scientists, engineers and unsung heroes who burned midnight oil to make Pakistan's defence impregnable and invincible despite immense hurdles and international pressures. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, PTI CIS said that on this day Pakistan emerged as the first nuclear power in the Islamic world and the seventh globally and this momentous achievement sent a powerful message to the world that Pakistan is a resolute and indomitable nation. He emphasised that this achievement was not the legacy of any single political party but a national day of pride and honour for every Pakistani. He paid special tribute to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr Samar Mubarakmand, and countless others who dedicated their lives to securing Pakistan's sovereignty and turned the dream into a reality. 'It is deeply regrettable that Dr AQ Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, was forced to apologise on national television,' Waqas added. 'The founder of PTI Imran Khan was the only political leader who condemned this humiliation and stood by Dr Khan, because he is, was and will forever remain our national hero, a symbol of Pakistan's pride and resilience,' PTI CIS maintained. Shifting focus to the current political and judicial crisis, Waqas strongly criticised the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it the burial ground of the Constitution. PTI CIS declared that justice has become a rare commodity in Pakistan, as the judicial process is plagued by delays, inefficiency, and a blatant disregard for constitutional principles. He lamented that the current system was stealing justice rather than merely delaying it. 'The most alarming example is that we are forced to protest just to get the PTI founder's case heard,' Waqas added. PTI CIS went on to say that members of provincial and national assemblies from Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been compelled to take to the streets—simply to demand a hearing for a political leader's case. He lamented that despite repeated assurances from the acting Chief Justice of IHC, no progress has been made so far, as Punjab police disregarded the court's orders with complete impunity. PTI CIS warned that Pakistan's judiciary has become a global topic of discussion for all the wrong reasons, adding that the judiciary today appears powerless or unwilling to uphold justice. 'We are not asking for special favours—we are demanding the release of our leader, who is being held unjustly,' he asserted. Reminding the nation of PTI's unwavering stance against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Waqas quoted the PTI founder as saying: 'Modi is a shameless man; he will betray again.' He reiterated PTI's commitment to Pakistan, saying, 'We are ready to sacrifice our wealth, our lives, and even our children for this nation—but unity is the need of the hour.' However, he made it clear, 'Unity not just in war, but even in peace, we deserve justice, dignity and our constitutional rights.' Addressing the Al-Qadir Trust case, Waqas called it a mockery of justice, saying that not a single rupee was received by the PTI founder or Bushra Bibi. 'The entire world knows that Imran Khan has never been involved in corruption, yet he is being denied basic human, constitutional and legal rights—no meetings with his children, no contact with his sisters, not even access to books,' he added. He asserted that the form-47 government was suffering from Imran Khan's phobia, as Punjab Police was preventing political leaders from meeting the founder, violating fundamental constitutional rights, besides surveillance cameras monitor every movement. 'This is authoritarianism, not justice,' Waqas declared. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
