PTI demands end to cipher trial, release of Imran, Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Monday demanded that the ongoing ‘proceedings of unconstitutional trial in the false and fabricated cipher case’ should be annulled instantly and PTI Chairman-for-life Imran Khan and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi should be released forthwith.

In a statement issued here, he stressed the need for an immediate halt to the ongoing malicious and nefarious process of targeting former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi through an unfair and unjust trial in the baseless and false cipher case.

He said that the cipher was a fabricated and baseless case in every aspect, which was just being used to subject against Imran and Qureshi for political vendetta. He claimed that it was no more a secret that both were being subjected to political revenge in the cipher case through unfair and unconstitutional trial under Article 10A.

Separately, PTI has urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to take notice of the ‘worst state operation and suppression’ against the party and its leaders as well workers so as to ensure people could freely use their right to vote in the much-needed general elections slated to be held on February 8, 2024.

Speaking to a news conference here, and flanked by PTI candidates Aamir Masood Mughal (NA-46) and Ali Bukhari (NA-48), PTI senior leader and candidate for NA-47, Shoaib Shaheen said that PTI had been subjecting to worst state fascism for the last two years in which an alarming increased had been witnessed since May 9. He said that PTI candidates were not allowed to carry out peaceful political activities in the federal capital what to talk of elsewhere in the country.

Shoaib Shaheen urged the CJP to take notice of this ‘unabated state fascism’ to ensure free and fair polls, warning that attempts were being to rig the polls and if public mandate was stolen, then it could lead the country to the worst anarchy and instability and that he would be equally responsible for it too. PTI leader called upon the IG Islamabad and other police officials to perform their duties as true public servants instead of becoming puppets of the ‘dwarf politicians’. He highlighted that PTI was becoming more popular with each passing day despite all the state coercive tactics, which was evident from the Sunday’s rallies across the country.

Shoaib Shaheen said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should awake from sweet slumber and look into the unconstitutional and unlawful acts, being applied against PTI candidates to debar them in sheer violation of elections rule and regulations to carry out peaceful activities in the country. He predicted that February 8 would prove a day of accountability for the puppets and crooked political leadership and their cronies. Speaking on the occasion, Aamir Mughal said that undeclared curfew had been imposed in Islamabad, as obstacles were being created for PTI. He added that police personnel reached in vehicles whenever PTI announced holding public gathering and corner meeting.