PTI faces judicial storm: Dialogue or disqualifications

ISLAMABAD: Among PTI parliamentarians, there is growing fear of their possible disqualification following the Supreme Court’s recent order for the conclusion of May 9-related cases within four months.

The issue has been actively discussed among party members, who, expressing their discontent with the judiciary, fear that the trial courts may not ensure justice under the current circumstances. They worry that convictions could lead to the disqualification of several PTI parliamentarians, as any conviction automatically results in disqualification from the Senate, National Assembly, or provincial assemblies.

In response, party leaders are exploring ways to pre-empt such a scenario. It has been proposed to revive the option of dialogue, as other strategies have failed. Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, has been suggested to pursue dialogue with the establishment. “The party urgently needs normalisation,” a senior PTI leader told this correspondent, adding, “Even if it is a step-by-step process, we must pursue it to prevent further damage to the party.”

There is widespread disappointment among PTI leaders that previous political strategies - such as the boycott of remittances and protest marches towards Islamabad - have not worked. The possibility of forming a grand opposition alliance has also faded, and earlier hopes tied to the judiciary and even external factors like Trump have been dashed.

In this backdrop, the disqualification of PTI parliamentarians would further compound the party’s woes.

“There is a growing feeling within the party that dialogue is now the only viable option,” a source confirmed. Recently, a three-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, directed trial courts to conclude May 9-related cases within four months, aiming to expedite proceedings amid concerns over delays in politically sensitive trials.

A significant number of PTI parliamentarians, including MNAs and MPAs from various provinces, face cases related to May 9 events. Several leaders are also booked in multiple FIRs. PTI’s legal team has expressed concerns that the Supreme Court’s written order could be misused against the accused.

According to media reports, the Punjab Prosecution Department had informed the apex court that a total of 319 FIRs were registered regarding May 9-related incidents in Punjab alone. In these FIRs, 35,962 accused persons were nominated, 11,367 of whom were arrested, while 24,595 remain at large. Final challans have been submitted in 307 cases.

Omar Ayub Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, said that while witnesses in the May 9 cases have been exposed, he and other party leaders are still facing multiple FIRs. He himself has been nominated in 10 murder cases.

Lamenting the government’s focus, he said, “At a time when India is preparing to attack Pakistan, our government is busy crushing the opposition. Omar Ayub added that, in the event of convictions and disqualifications, PTI leaders “would take the bull by the horns.”