Imran Khan welcomes Supreme Court verdict in the election suo motu notice
ISLAMABAD, Mar 01 (SABAH): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court (SC) verdict in the election suo motu notice and announced the suspension of the “Jail Bharo Tehreek”, saying the party will move forward with election campaigns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab.
“We welcome the SC judgment. It was the responsibility of SC to uphold the Constitution and they have valiantly done that through their judgment today,” former prime minister Imran Khan said after the top court’s ruling to hold elections in the provinces within 90 days.
Imran Khan said it is an assertion of the rule of law in Pakistan. “We are suspending our Jail Bharo movement and moving forward with election campaigns in KP and Punjab.”
“We welcome the SC judgement. It was responsibility of SC to uphold Constitution & they have valiantly done that through their judgement today. It is an assertion of Rule of Law in Pak. We are suspending our Jail Bharo movement & moving forward with elec campaigns in KP & Punjab” Imran Khan tweeted.
Earlier in the day, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry had declared the verdict as an endorsement of their stance. “It’s a unanimous verdict in fact as Justice Mansoor Ali Shah also said that when the Lahore High Court had taken up the matter and ruled that the elections should be held in 90 days so the Supreme Court shouldn’t have taken suo motu notice on it,” Fawad Chauhdry said. “So he is also agreeing with our stance. And it’s a victory for the Constitution.”
Fawad Chaudhry hailed the verdict as a “victory for the constitution of Pakistan” which was seconded by Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as a “victory for Imran Khan”.
Fawad said that the two dissenting judges have “merely” said that since a Lahore High Court ruling on the matter already exists, the SC was “not required to take notice”.
“But all five judges agree that polls must be held within 90 days,” he stressed.
Fawad has also said that the court has bound the federation to facilitate polls and provide support, particularly in ensuring safety.
Fawad said that the president has been asked to announce the election in Punjab while the governor is directed to fix the poll date in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Supreme Court, the PTI leader added, has bound the federation to provide al sorts of support with its security or provision of funds. “Election is the foundation of the state.”
On the other hand, Sheikh Rashid congratulated the nation on the verdict and asked the country to “prepare for the elections”. “It’s a big victory. The Constitution has won, and the people of Pakistan have won.” He predicted: “Inshallah, PTI is going to form governments in KP and Punjab”.