Imran seeks judiciary’s help for early polls

[ad_1]

Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has urged the judiciary to ensure that the constitution is upheld and pave the way for elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing his supporters via video link from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, Imran accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party of attacking judges in a bid to delay the polls at any cost.

His statement came shortly after PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz accused a “cabal of five” of being behind the ongoing political and economic crises in Pakistan. The group reportedly includes sitting and former Supreme Court judges and former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief General (retd) Faiz Hameed.

In his speech, Imran accused the PML-N of having a history of attacking and buying the loyalty of judges. He also alleged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was controlling the caretaker in Punjab.

Imran reminded the judiciary that the constitution is clear about holding elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly. He urged the judiciary to withstand pressure from both the establishment and the “Sharif and Zardari mafia”.

“This is a defining moment in the country’s history. Either the neutrals are pressuring the judiciary or these two mafia families Sharif and Zardari,” he said.

Also Read: Maryam accuses SC judges of backing Imran after establishment abandoned him

According to Imran, the only way to lift the country out of the current crisis is by holding elections. He also criticized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretakers, claiming that they were taking orders from PML-N leaders and were against the PTI.

Imran also hailed his party’s “Jail Bharo Tehreek” (fill the jail movement) and said it shows that the PTI workers are not afraid of jails. He lamented that those who volunteered for arrests are being treated as criminals and are being shifted to various jails in Punjab.

Criticizing Prime Minister Shehbaz’s statement that inflation would rise further due to an IMF deal, the PTI chief asked if the Prime Minister had any shame and had ever asked the public how they make ends meet.

Imran said that if the PTI was not present in the country, the public would resort to violence, like protesters who ransacked the presidential palace in Sri Lanka due to an economic crisis. He maintained that the “judicial arrest” movement was against the economic meltdown and the incumbent government’s attempt to delay the polls.

[ad_2]