Will approach high court if justice denied: PTI vows to escalate constitutional struggle

WEB DESK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership on Monday, yet again levelled serious allegations of political persecution against party members while expressing concerns over the deteriorating health of incarcerated senior leader Dr Yasmin Rashid.

Addressing media personnel, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that 26 party members had been suspended from assemblies while over 100 were “unjustly barred” from representing their constituencies. “The current regime stands on foundations of falsehood,” Raja alleged, terming it “another dark day for democracy.” Raja reiterated February 28, 2024 as a “significant date” in PTI’s political journey while warning of approaching higher courts if justice wasn’t served at current forums.

The PTI leader expressed dismay over what he called the “collapse of judicial independence” following the 26th Amendment, stating the party had lost faith in receiving justice from courts. He invoked Article 19 of the Constitution regarding freedom of speech, asserting that restrictions on politics and journalism amounted to “shackles on fundamental rights.”

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Another PTI leader, Meharbano Qureshi raised alarms about Dr Rashid’s condition in jail, revealing: “She requires a breathing apparatus that fails during frequent power outages in the prison.” Qureshi contrasted this with Dr Rashid’s public service during COVID-19, calling her current treatment “deplorable.”

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Meanwhile, Punjab PTI Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza reiterated the party’s commitment to democratic struggle, stating: “We believe in constitutional processes and will exhaust every legal avenue.” The leadership framed the May 9 events as politically motivated, with Raja asserting that “true democracy would prevail when voting rights are respected.”