ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub has said that on Tuesday, the DG ISPR held a press conference in which he said negotiations would not be held with the anarchist group.
“Who allowed them to negotiate, they are a tool of the state, whatever the prime minister is, he is empowered in this regard, as leader of opposition in National Assembly and PTI general secretary, we reject his press conference,” he said.
Addressing a seminar held here on Wednesday on “how and why to protect the Constitution of Pakistan”, he said the Constitution and rule of law should prevail in the country and pointed out that it was clear in the Constitution that the army would not interfere in politics. Rejecting the DG ISPR’s news conference, he asked the DG who had allowed them to negotiate when he said they would not hold talks with the anarchist group. He said the PTI founder had given the responsibility of contacting political leaders and that he met Imran Khan last week, who said that he would not bargain on the Constitution. He alleged that May 9 was a conspiracy and the target of it was Imran Khan. His party has sacrificed a lot and that “one of our points” is the supremacy of the Constitution and law, therefore, PTI workers tolerated violence and braved batons. He said a case was also made against him for theft of an X-ray machine; they were booked for murder, kidnapping and terrorism.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who heads the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), said the real freedom would be achieved when the parliament was formed by people’s vote. He emphasized that when there was no conflict or dominance of any sect in the country, there would be freedom.
“The real freedom will be achieved in the country when an elected government of people comes, for this we have to bring about reforms and change,” he maintained.
He continued that despite having been blessed with the treasure (natural resources) of the world, “we have become poor, whereas the blessings mentioned in Surah Rahman are in Pakistan, yet why are we poor and hungry?” Referring to Imran Khan, Achakzai said the PTI founder was the leader of the most popular party in the country, adding that it was not a matter of release, he would have to be released. If he goes abroad, you will benefit, if he remains here, it means that he is a gentleman.
Leader of Opposition in Senate and PTI leader Shibli Faraz said: “So far, it seems that we have not learned anything from the past. The future of the country will be determined by the supremacy of the Constitution and law.” He said his party dissolved the assemblies of both the provinces and it was the PTI’s constitutional decision; accordingly elections were to be held in 90 days under the Constitution. The future of the country is related to the Constitution and supremacy of law. The Constitution cannot be carried forward as it is being humiliated.
According to the law, he argued, it was mandatory to hold elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the assemblies; then unconstitutionally caretaker governments were formed in both the provinces, “so far it seems that we have not learned anything from the past, political parties are standing on the agenda of supremacy of law and Constitution”. “The country is running in a shaky way, the law in this country is separate for the elite and common people. The seats stolen should be given back, Imran Khan has been imprisoned for nine months, we have to take the movement forward,” he said.
Former Speaker NA Asad Qaiser said: “We are neither in favour of violence nor want to do so, insisting that a judicial commission should be set up on the allegations made against us, the allegations made against us are false.”
PTI Senator and senior lawyer Hamid Khan said those who made their way to the legislatures and formed the government by stealing the mandate themselves were talking about constitutional amendment today.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the Constitution might be amended but made it clear that the PTI would oppose the extension and reduction of judges’ tenure. “We will oppose the increase in the retirement age of judges by amending the Constitution,” he said and called for strict adherence to the Constitution.
The PTI chairman said despite the existence of fundamental rights in the Constitution, practical work was not being done and rights were not being given. “The reason for the disintegration of the USSR was the concentration of power on one individual,” he said and added everyone should know what Justice Kennedy had told a congressional committee that fundamental rights existed in the USSR constitution.” He said it was not right to call the PTI a conspirator as it was like calling day a night.