ISLAMABAD, May 9 (EW): Amid the ongoing tussle between the parliament and the judiciary over holding the election in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the key opposition party — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — has announced to hold public rallies in the federal capital Islamabad at 101 spots on May 14 (Sunday), the date set by the supreme court to hold elections to the Punjab Assembly.
Earlier on May 6, the Imran-led party had organised a rally in Lahore to support the Supreme Court, Constitution and the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Addressing the rally, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan — who was sent packing as the prime minister through a no-confidence vote in April 2022 — had said: “It is the decison of the entire nation to stand with the Constitution and [against] the way this mafia [PDM] is putting pressure on and doing propaganda against Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and [other] judges.” The PTI chairman announced that his party would hold rallies every day till May 14.
It is to mention here that Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial — without naming anyone during his address to a ceremony on minority rights in Lahore few days back had said: “Please don’t say that you support us. I’m just one of the members of the Supreme Court.” He further said that the support should be extended to the Supreme Court and not to any individual. The Chief Justice said the protection of the Constitution is the fundamental responsibility of the top court adding that the court’s decision is final if it is not challenged.
According to a declaration issued by the Imran-led PTI, it has formally sought permission from the concerned authorities (the Islamabad district administrator) for holding public gatherings at 101 spots in the fedreal capital.
According to PTI Islamabad leader and former MNA Ali Nawaz Awan his party would hold rallies at 4 pm on May 14 (Sunday) to express solidarity with Constitution and the Chief Justice (CJP). “The Constitution provides the citizens with the rights including freedom of movement, assembly and speech,” he said further.
