As the end of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government’s reign approaches, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for a significant commemoration. Preparing for the imminent dissolution of the National Assembly, PTI has earmarked August 10 (Thursday) as a day of gratitude and liberation.
Dissecting PTI’s Stance on PDM’s Tenure
In an official declaration made public on Wednesday, PTI’s core committee expressed its intentions to critically analyze and shed light on the apparent mishaps of the PDM-led administration. This was particularly accentuated following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement about contacting President Dr Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly three days before its constitutional expiration.
Going beyond mere political rivalries, PTI has announced its plan to expose the alleged censorship on media outlets and the purported repressive actions against journalists under the PDM’s watch. The repercussions of economic mismanagement, manifesting as rampant inflation, will be another point of discussion presented to the public.
PTI’s Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Conviction
The party hasn’t shied away from showing its dismay regarding the court’s decision on the case involving their chairman, Imran Khan. The former prime minister faced a no-confidence vote in April of the preceding year, leading to his ousting.
Khan’s recent arrest on August 5, post his conviction of corruption linked to the state gift depository, further stirred the party’s sentiments. While Khan vehemently denies these allegations, Judge Humayun Dilawar’s judgement paints a contrasting picture. Khan was sentenced to a three-year jail term with an Rs100,000 penalty, with the immediacy of his arrest emphasized.
The subpar conditions of Khan’s imprisonment in Attock jail, as described by his counsel Naeem Haider Panjotha, have further added to PTI’s concerns. Panjotha highlighted the minimalistic, unhygienic living quarters allocated to Khan, which seemed unsuitable for a former prime minister.
Furthermore, PTI also expressed its discontent over the perceived intimidation tactics employed against Khan’s legal representatives, Panjotha and Khawaja Haris Ahmed, by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Panjotha’s recent lengthy interrogation by the FIA’s cybercrime division remains a significant point of contention for the party.