PTI instructs MNAs to go underground for 20 days

PESHAWAR: After the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down its 2022 verdict related to the defection clause under Article 63-A of the Constitution, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central leadership —fearing defection as the government is gearing up for introducing a proposed constitutional amendment with a major focus on the judiciary — has directed all its members of National Assembly (MNAs) to go underground for 20 days.

Sources confirmed to HUM News English that the PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leadership has further instructed members of the National Assembly (MNAs) not to participate in the party’s planned protest in Islamabad on Friday.

Sources said that the PTI MNAs have already started going into hiding, following these instructions.

The PTI leadership has asked MNAs from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan to avoid public appearances to evade possible arrests.

Additionally, the party has advised its MNAs not to attend the upcoming National Assembly sessions.

Former PTI President of Peshawar District and MNA Sher Ali Arbab confirmed that the party leadership has issued orders for all MNAs to go underground for 20 days.

The PTI MNA further stated that, so far, the party leadership has not issued any directives regarding whether or not to attend the National Assembly session. However, he said, there is a possibility that the leadership may instruct the MNAs to refrain from participating in the upcoming session.

PTI’s female MNA, Shandana Gulzar, confirmed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the party has instructed all MNAs to “disappear” for 20 days.

She added that if anyone still says they were under pressure, it means they have already sold out.