As political tensions escalate in Punjab, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to launch a legal and public campaign in response to the recent suspension of 26 of its lawmakers from the Punjab Assembly. The party condemned what it described as “unconstitutional and partisan actions” by the Speaker, declaring it would confront the issue both in court and through street protests.
PTI Prepares to Set Up ‘Real Assembly’ Outside Parliament
In a fiery joint press conference in Islamabad, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa slammed the provincial government for allegedly silencing dissent and violating democratic norms.
Bhachar accused the ruling elite of engineering a “stolen mandate” in the February 8 elections, alleging that a “fake chief minister” had been installed and that PTI supporters were being targeted in midnight raids. “If this is about offending the so-called ‘second queen,’ we’ll continue to do so,” he added, taking aim at the ruling coalition’s leadership.
He vowed that if barred from the assembly, PTI would set up a parallel ‘real’ assembly on the streets, declaring, “We don’t care about the seats—history will record everything.”
Khosa and Raja: Constitution, Democracy Under Siege
Senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa strongly criticized the government for what he called repeated violations of the Constitution, citing the 26th Amendment and the mass suspensions of PTI legislators as blatant overreach. “They are attempting to usher in fascism, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is an assault on democratic values and human rights,” he said.
Khosa also condemned the Election Commission and the judiciary, calling the reserved seats verdict “shameful,” and expressed outrage over restrictions on meeting Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, despite mounting reports of alleged corruption inside the prison.
Salman Akram Raja, echoing these concerns, said the administration was writing a “new chapter in cruelty and repression.” He emphasized that no lawmaker can be ousted simply for protesting. While PTI would pursue legal remedies, Raja cast doubt on whether the rule of law still holds sway in Pakistan’s current political climate.
Final Word
PTI’s announcement signals a new phase of confrontation in Punjab’s already volatile political landscape. With threats of parallel assemblies and renewed street agitation, the battle over democratic legitimacy and constitutional authority appears far from over. Whether courts or protests will shift the power balance remains to be seen—but PTI has made it clear it will not back down without a fight.
