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Updated 15 Sep, 2014 05:21pm

PTI will not support unconstitutional measures, SC told

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday submitted its response to Raza Rabbani's questions during a Supreme Court hearing of unconstitutional measures case.

PTI counsel Yousuf Khosa submitted the response on behalf of the party. In its response, the PTI said realities were kept hidden regarding the questions that were raised.

Khosa said that the PTI chief Imran Khan has been using his constitutional right to create awareness among the people of Pakistan about their rights.

"PTI believes in the supremacy of law," he said, adding, "Freedom of expression, supremacy of law and constitution is part of PTI's manifesto and the party will never vouch support for any unconstitutional measure."

The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) has not yet submitted its response in court.

Earlier on September 10, Mian Raza Rabbani, one of the main architects of the 18th Amendment, had told the apex court that he was afraid certain unconstitutional measures might be in the offing, in the wake of the prevailing political situation.

Know more: Legislators still fear unconstitutional steps, SC told

When the chief justice had asked Rabbani whether he had any basis for his views, he replied that this view was based on experiences from the turbulent history of the country.

This was why, he said, he had formulated three questions in a rejoinder to the petitions he had submitted, which required the court’s energies and needed to be answered definitively.

Firstly, Rabbani had asked whether any political party or any other group could, at all, seek constitutional office-bearers to disengage from office under threat of violence or use of force in violation of the Constitution.

Secondly, whether any political leader could legitimately involve the Pakistan Army in his/her designs to achieve his/her unconstitutional objectives by attempting to reassure his/her followers that the army will determine the future course of his actions through a simple “yes” or “no”.

Thirdly, Rabbani had asked whether such a political leader could misrepresent the support of the army for his/her cause in public or private communication, thereby compromising the image of a national institution.

Considering the questions important in view of ongoing developments, the court had sought answers from the PTI and PAT counsel on these questions.

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