Constitutional amendments: Imran accuses govt of HR violations, electoral fraud

ISLAMABAD: Special Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana on Saturday adjourned the hearing of the Al-Qadir Trust reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the 190 million pounds scandal till September 18. The hearing was held at the Adiala jail.

During the hearing, apart from the two accused and their lawyers, NAB lawyers were also present. The lawyers started cross-examination of the investigation officer and last witness Umar Nadeem but failed to complete it as the court time ended.

During an informal discussion with journalists after the hearing, Imran asserted that no one was forcibly removed from parliament under his leadership and criticised the government for allegedly ignoring democratic norms. Addressing queries about a drug case involving Rana Sanaullah, he said the case was initiated by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). He confirmed that he had called upon the ANF head who briefed the cabinet and presented evidence related to Sanaullah’s case. He acknowledged relying on the statements and evidence from the ANF that was headed by a major general, despite claims by PTI leaders suggesting that the case was fabricated.

Imran also discussed his efforts to intervene in the abduction of journalist Matiullah Jan and accused the government of human rights violations and electoral fraud through new constitutional amendments. He criticised Shehbaz Sharif, alleging intervention by Gen Bajwa to prevent Shehbaz’s conviction on money-laundering charges. He dismissed other legal issues involving Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar as “outdated”, claiming that only the money-laundering case had proven charges.

He targeted Justice Qazi Faez Isa and condemned the recent proposed constitutional amendments which he said undermined the democratic process. He argued that democracy in Pakistan was at risk with smaller parties gaining parliamentary representation and criticised media restrictions and judicial threats. He urged his party to prepare for a street movement, indicating that if the government thought they would remain silent about these amendments, it was mistaken.

Despite restrictions, he announced a rally in Lahore on September 21, asserting that holding such rallies was both a democratic and constitutional right. He criticised the government for blocking rallies over the past year and a half, warning that Punjab could turn into a “police state” if these restrictions continued. He concluded by emphasizing that his party would continue to fight for democratic principles and resist any attempts to enforce what he described as “slavery”.