PTI demands Imran’s release as it marks foundation day

ISLAMABAD: On its 29th foundation day, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday called for the release of the party leadership and workers, including the founder chairman Imran Khan, vowing to continue struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. 

A resolution to this effect was unanimously passed at a function, held at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) House to mark the occasion. Party leaders, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, were present on the occasion. 

The resolution condemned the recent Indian actions and allegations in the strongest terms and reiterated the resolve that like in the past, the entire nation was fully committed to defending the country with their armed forces. “Just as our leader Imran Khan had said as prime minister that we will not only think of giving a befitting reply in the event of any external aggression against Pakistan, but will give a befitting reply and the entire Pakistani nation will have only one answer to its enemy,” it added.

The resolution strongly condemned the “illegal” imprisonment of Imran Khan, and strongly demanded the release of all political prisoners, including PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The resolution stated: “The nation responded to the call of its leader Imran Khan and won the PTI with a huge majority in the February 8, 2024 elections. Unfortunately, the party’s mandate was stolen. This is a robbery on the rights of the people and an attack on the Constitution. We strongly demand the return of our legitimate mandate. “We strongly condemn the ongoing oppression and fascism in the country and also strongly demand the restoration of personal, political, journalistic freedoms and basic human rights suspended in the country. “The judiciary has been greatly weakened by the 26th Constitutional Amendment. We also strongly demand the restoration of the Constitution in its original form and the restoration of the dignity of the Supreme Court.” Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, said: “The 29th foundation day of the PTI is dedicated to the martyrs of May 9 and November 26 and to the political prisoners imprisoned for the struggle for true freedom and democracy in the country.” Ayub said the struggle of the PTI was meant for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. “We will continue this struggle until the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law are truly established in the country,” he remarked. About Pak-India situation, he said the Modi government had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and waged a war of words. “We, the Pakistani nation, will fight like a wall of lead. At this time, there is a need to unite the nation. Imran Khan can unite the nation and steer the country out of the current situation, but he has been tied up,” he said. Former speaker National Assembly and founding member of PTI Asad Qaiser said the party was the name of a long struggle, adding: “We want a judicial system in which the entire nation can trust”.

Earlier, PTI leaders and members of the parliament walked from the Parliament House to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in connection with the party’s foundation day.