ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has firmly declared its opposition to any forthcoming constitutional amendments that the government may propose.
This declaration came during a recent parliamentary session, where PTI members staged a walkout as lawmakers voted on the contentious 26th Constitutional Amendment. PTI leaders argue that the new amendment could lead to political interference in judicial matters, particularly regarding the appointment of the chief justice and Supreme Court judges, thereby giving parliament undue influence over the judiciary.
The statement follows reports that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto discussed the potential “27th constitutional amendment.”
PTI’s Sheikh Waqas Akram emphasized during Geo News’ program ‘Geo Pakistan’: “Whether it’s the 27th or 28th constitutional amendment, PTI will oppose it.”
Akram suggested that if the government were confident, it wouldn’t resort to raiding PTI lawmakers’ homes or allegedly abducting supporters. “We are a political party, and while our decisions can be critiqued, why is the call for consensus only made concerning PTI?” he questioned.
He also defended Bushra Bibi, stating she has no political ambitions and reaffirmed the PTI founder’s stance that no family members would enter politics. Akram assured that the party stands with any family member advocating for the founder’s release, adding, “It is not politics when a wife speaks up for her husband, or sisters for their brother.”
The PTI remains focused on securing the release of its leader, he noted.
Regarding reports of Faisal Chaudhry’s removal from the party’s legal team, Akram clarified that Salman Akram Raja leads PTI’s legal committee. “Faisal is like a brother to me and I hold him in high regard,” he said, adding that Chaudhry has not been hired for Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi’s cases.
In a separate interview, Chaudhry explained that he filed a petition on the instruction of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. “If I am delivering, then I will stay; if not, my client can choose another lawyer. Lawyers can be jealous of each other’s success,” he commented.
He shared that after his last meeting before leaving jail, he informed Khan that he would be filing the petition, to which Khan responded, “Go ahead.”
