The PTI’s woes seem to be unending, as well as the government’s policy to push it to the wall. The swift manner in which the Election Commission disqualified three party legislators, on the premise of their convictions by the anti-terrorism courts over May 9 vandalism testifies the intolerance that institutions have bred towards the opposition. The cases are subject to appeal and the breakneck speed was unwarranted.
It is a foregone conclusion that former PM Imran Khan and his stalwarts, who are standing with him, are subject to blatant victimisation and this does not bode well for political stability and social coherence of society. Lawful efforts on the part of the PTI to seek relief from the courts have often hit snags. It is also an undeniable fact that all public litigation cases of high profile interest, especially those pertaining to the 2024 general election and the 26th amendment, are lingering and yet to see the light of the day.
The hurried adjournment of Imran Khan’s bail pleas in eight May 9 cases until August 12, by a two-member bench of the apex court yesterday, has sent the wrong signals at a time when the party is gearing up for a nationwide protest movement.
The continued denial of relief to PTI founder and other imprisoned workers, and the tendency of slapping more cases amid a witch-hunt of its supporters, is in need of being reviewed. This policy has led to nowhere and repeatedly failed the initiatives of brokering a dialogue between the PTI and the government, compelling the aggrieved party to raise the stakes by demanding talks only with the security establishment.
With terrorism, economic downslide and a regional revulsion knocking on its doors, the country cannot afford to be groped down in chaos and instability. Lifting the lid of oppression from the PTI and releasing imprisoned workers, including Khan, will be in national interest, and this would pave the way for a constructive dialogue. The courts are poised with a responsibility to go by the book and let justice be seen to be done.
