PTI announces to challenge Khalid Khurshid’s disqualification

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced to challenge the disqualification of Khalid Khurshid as the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

A top court in Gilgit-Baltistan disqualified Khurshid on charges of possessing a fake degree and a licence as a lawyer.

According to a statement issued by the PTI’s central media department, the party’s chairman has instructed the parliamentary party of Gilgit-Baltistan to convene an urgent meeting and devise a comprehensive political and parliamentary strategy in light of Khurshid’s disqualification.

“The PTI strongly condemns the disqualification, viewing it as an insult to the elected representatives of the party, who hold a clear majority in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly,” the statement said.

The party vowed to vehemently resist any attempts to undermine the mandate of the people and rob them of their rightful representation.

In response to the disqualification, the PTI plans to pursue a legal strategy, thoroughly reviewing the decision against Khalid Khurshid.

Furthermore, the PTI parliamentary party will commence the nomination process for a suitable candidate to assume the position of chief minister in Gilgit-Baltistan. Once the candidate receives official approval from Imran Khan, their appointment as chief minister will be announced, the statement said.

The PTI expressed grave concern over what it perceives as a continuous assault on democracy and constitutional values in Pakistan. The party accused the forces of dictatorship of targeting elected representatives and undermining the people’s mandate, citing similar incidents in the federation, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and now in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The statement criticized the erosion of democracy by subjecting elected officials to the chains of financial greed and fear of reprisal.

It emphasized that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan would never accept any manipulation of their democratic mandate.

“The PTI, being the majority party in the region, stands firm in its commitment to the people, promising to give a resolute response to any attack on their legitimate government,” it said.

As the PTI challenges Khalid Khurshid’s disqualification and formulates its political and parliamentary strategy, the political landscape in Gilgit-Baltistan remains tense. The outcome of this legal battle and subsequent developments will undoubtedly shape the future course of governance in the region.