Islamabad/ Rawalpindi:
In a gambit calculated to maintain the resolution in the midst of political problems, Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) decided to boycott the next partial elections throughout the country and retire from all the permanent committees of Parliament, a movement that the party is part of an irregular political field.
The twin decisions occurred after the extensive deliberations at a meeting of the PTI Political Committee, which unanimously backed the boycott and resolved that the legislators of the party in the National Assembly would resign the memberships of their in -line committee with the instructions of the founding president of the Imran Khan party.
According to the sources of the party, the meeting was convened to draw PTI’s electoral strategy following the recent disqualifications that have created vacancies for the cocks of the National and Provincial Assembly. The members who gave their views on whether the party should dispute the elections were explicitly asked.
The experts revealed that most members advised against participation, citing the predominant political climate and the conditions committed to a fair contest.
Boicotear’s proposal was approved unanimously, with higher leaders, including Sanoullah Masti Khel, Barríster Gohar, Sheikh Waqas Akram and Amir Dogar, firmly supporting the measure, qualifying it as consisting of the guide of the founding president of PTI.
The decision followed the days of internal debate reported on whether the party should enter the fray to protect its political grass, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where imminent disqualifications could undermine their numbers.
Until recently, many within PTI considered to dispute partial elections a necessary measure, despite reserves on transparency and equity.
However, the founder of the imprisoned party had repeatedly pointed out that PTI should avoid legitimizing the “defective process.” He had previously ordered the political committee to review the matter and collect detailed comments from the members. After the consultations, the committee concluded that PTI will remain away from the next surveys.
On Tuesday, PTI leaders said the boycott reflects the position of the principles of the party against a compromised electoral process and a growing state pressure. They argued that participating in the elections “that lack transparency” would be contrary to PTI’s position on electoral integrity.
The renunciations drip
Shortly after the decision, in a parallel development, Faisal Amin Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s brother, Prime Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, resigned from three parliamentary committees on the instructions of PTI’s founder.
Faisal Amin resigned from the permanent committees on economic matters, food security and the parliamentary task force, and presented his resignation to the Whip Amir Dugar chief.
“I have renounced the instructions of the founder of PTI,” Faisal Amin confirmed.
Party sources said that more resignations of the permanent committees are expected in the coming days, in line with the founder’s directive and the decision of the political committee.
‘I will not lean, I will not try’
Meanwhile, speaking with the media earlier in the day after a meeting with his brother, Aleema Khan announced that Imran has maintained its resolution, saying that lonely confinement and intimidation will not break its resolution.
He reiterated his determination that “he will not be inclined or reached any agreement.”
Aleem Khan said that she and her sisters were grateful to PTI workers who had supported them for months.
“During the last three months, they denied us a meeting. Today, by the grace of Allah, we finally met him. After four months, all the sisters gathered together. To their lawyers, including Salman Akram Raja, Barrímoro Gohar and Ali Zafar, they were also given access,” he said.
She confirmed that the founder of PTI had good health in general, but said she had developed an eye problem. “We are moving to the Court for treatment,” he said, adding that the doctors of the Pims Hospital would examine him soon.
‘Judiciary responsible for injustices’
The former prime minister held the Judicial Branch for the injustices prevailing in the country, saying that “if the judges were aware, such injustice would never have been allowed.”
Citing him, his sister Aleem Khan said that Imran declared that “all responsibility for these injustices falls to the Judiciary.” He was also informed about the arrests of his nephews, Shershah Khan and Shahrez Khan, about which he expressed concern.
Speaking of legal cases against him, Imran commented that the punishments and disqualifications of this type had never been witnessed in Pakistan. In addition, he claimed that the main media had lost credibility because his voice was being suppressed and controlled.
He also opposed new military operations in Waziristan, warning that a military operation would only create instability.
He also criticized the forced expulsion of Pakistan Afghan refugees. “Conducting Afghan is against Islamic traditions. I feel ashamed for its forced return.”
The founder of PTI expressed his pain for the devastation caused by floods in Buner and other areas, adding that the public should now recognize the value of the project of one billion trees initiated during his mandate.
Regarding the political strategy, Imran instructed his party to resign all the parliamentary committees. In addition, the lawyer Gohar Khan and Salman Akram Raja directed with respect to the position of the party over the next partial elections.
“The party should not participate in partial elections,” he said. “Participating would give legitimacy to a process that is already committed.”
Aleem Khan told journalists that Imran had rejected the resignation of Salman Akram Raja of his party’s post.
“He has instructed the political committee to meet today. The founder will make a final decision after consulting the party. His clear position is that partial elections should not be legitimized, although he is open to review different opinions within the party,” he added.
He also said that Bushra Bibi had good health and that the judicial environment during his appearance today had been “positive.”
Separately, Pti Salman Akram Raja lawyer also confirmed that Imran had not accepted his resignation.
“Khan Sahib did not accept my resignation,” he said while talking to journalists after meeting Khan in Adiala’s prison.
Raja added that the political committee would meet again at night to deliberate in the elections.
“The opposition leader, Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, are already fighting their cases in the courts. For the National Assembly, the name of Mahmood Khan Achakzai has been repeated by Khan Sahib. In line with their directions, the political committee will make a final decision on the elections.”
