Country virtually under martial law, claims Qaiser

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said on Tuesday that the judicial system had been paralysed following the 26th Constitutional Amendment and there was a martial law-like situation in the country.

“The 26th Constitutional Amendment has severely affected the judicial system. Human rights violations have become order of the day and the country is virtually under martial law,” he told reporters after appearing in the Peshawar High Court.

He expressed concern over the persistent violation of fundamental human rights in the country, alleging that PTI leaders, workers and even its lawmakers were being implicated in fake cases.

Asad Qaiser, who is also Member National Assembly, said that PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan had declared he would not leave prison until all PTI workers were released.

He said that an excessive number of cases had been filed against the PTI leaders and workers despite the fact, the government had used brute force against party workers during the November 26 protests.

He said that the PTI’s committee had presented two demands to the government’s committee: the release of all political prisoners, including the PTI chairman, and a judicial inquiry into the incidents of May 9 and November 26.

He expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision allowing military courts to deliver judgments.Asad Qaiser also lamented the ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan and stressed the need for taking steps to resolve the issues amicably.

He condemned the crackdown against the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and urged the people at the helm of affairs to revisit Pakistan’s foreign policy.He said that Pakistan should prioritise its cultural values and adopt a reconciliatory approach in its relations with Afghanistan.Meanwhile, the PHC granted transit bail to Asad Qaiser and sked him to appear before the relevant courts by January 30.The case was heard by a single-member bench of Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel.