LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said that Constitution could not prevail in country if State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) did not release funds for Punjab Assembly elections. Speaking to media outside courtroom, Imran Khan said, despite fact that Constitution states that negotiations are not needed, we are doing negotiations for sake of elections.

Possibility of holding elections after 90 days does not exist. There are constitutional limits on holding elections over more than 90 days.” Khan was of view that interim setup should be replaced with administrator, who should perform task of holding elections in province. He alleged that interim government was indulging in political vendetta.

He said, “Who is talking that we had strained relations with US and KSA. General Bajwa launched campaign against our government because he wanted an extension. Within three months, two meetings of OIC were held in country. Is this happened before in country?” “We were having strong relationships with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.

Who is ready to talk with incumbent government?” he added. Imran Khan maintained, “Already in country, fundamental human rights are being badly violated”. Imran Khan waded through debate on legality of caretaker governments in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa proposing appointment of Administrators with sole purpose of holding elections. He expressed fear that party leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Ali Zaidi might be tortured like Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill in custody as part of London plan. Taking to Twitter, strongly condemned custody of Ali Zaidi and Ali Amin Gandapur on fabricated charges and expressed concern that they might be subjected to custodial torture, just like Swati and Gill in past.

He alleged that cabal of crooks and their handlers have made complete mockery of Constitution, rule of law, court orders and democracy simply to fulfill nefarious London Plan. Khan went on to say that one of their social media activists, Waqas Amjad had been abducted and subjected to severe torture while in custody before being released. Not only have institutions been destroyed and economy has suffered sharp decline, but also basic rights of citizens are being blatantly violated with impunity PTI Chairman added. Manwhile, Imran Khan has expressed his dissatisfaction over low turnout of party workers from Peshawar at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore for security duties. During meeting with workers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at Zaman Park, Imran inquired about presence of workers from Peshawar. In response, some workers raised their hands. Observing low turnout, PTI Chief remarked that “Peshawar looks weak to me, it seems that passion in Peshawar is fading.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 18 2023

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