ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar has announced opposition’s plan to challenge newly approved Election Act Amendment Bill-which prevents independent candidates from joining political parties after specified post-election period in top court.

In statement delivered on floor of National Assembly, Gohar criticised bill, asserting that it undermines democratic principles. “This Parliament is indeed supreme, but authority to interpret lies with Supreme Court,” Gohar maintained. He emphasised PTI’s commitment to challenging what he described as “Politically motivated” piece of legislation. Chairperson highlighted that PTI had submitted four petitions to Election Commission Pakistan regarding reserved seats, claiming that their electoral symbol was unjustly removed in conspiracy to defeat party.

“Our nomination papers were submitted, but our electoral symbol was taken away, yet we won with two-thirds majority,” he stated. PTI lawmaker Ali Muhammad Khan echoed Gohar’s concerns, arguing that bill was being used to attack apex court. “Supreme Court granted us this right through its decision. How can you deny us this right after Supreme Court’s verdict?” Khan questioned, expressing his belief that bill contains elements of “Political fascism”. Representative of Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Sibghatullah also condemned bill as an “Assault on Constitution” and top court. He argued that bill was bulldozed through assembly based on majority, labelling it as an attack on democracy that pits Parliament against judiciary.