LAHORE: The PTI and PML-Q leadership on Friday rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to disqualify PTI chairman Imran Khan from contesting election and termed it a cruel joke on the nation.

Since party leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, immediately tweeted (after the ECP decision) that the commission’s decision was unacceptable but it did mark the beginning of the revolution in the country, the PTI leaders, office-bearers and supporters took to the streets and staged protest demonstrations at various locations in the city. The civil society also held protests at the Liberty Chowk and other places. The protests disrupted traffic flow in the city.

PTI Central Punjab president Dr Yasmin Rashid said, “The Election Commission – such a sham!” She said people knew well at whose behest the ECP had given its decision.

Addressing a protest demonstration at Babu Sabu interchange on the motorway, Dr Rashid said the ECP had given the decision against Imran under pressure from the ‘imported government’ while the supreme court had already declared him as ‘Sadiq and Amin’.

She said the ECP had become a personal employee of the PML-N and asserted that the PTI would not be afraid of any tactic of the PDM government. She added that the ‘imported government’ was compelling the PTI to block roads. She said Imran was shouting hoarse that the federal government should announce early election so that the new elected government could put the country on the path of progress.

Referring to the public outrage, Yasmin Rashid said the people had rejected the ECP decision and added that the PML-N leaders were becoming slaves to the US and committing treason against the country’s sovereignty.

Rejecting the ECP decision, Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed it unconstitutional and illegal. He said he and his party would continue standing by Imran.

“Disqualifying the most popular leader of Pakistan is a cruel joke on the nation. We stand by our leader and will continue to stand by him,” he declared.

Former federal minister Moonis Elahi termed the ECP decision as ‘a massacre of justice’. He said the nation would not accept any decision to disqualify Imran Khan and added, “The captain is victorious and will remain so”.

Adviser to the Chief Minister on Home and Information Omer Sarfraz Cheema declared that the PTI would challenge the ECP’s decision in the court. He said the PDM was afraid of going to the people for votes.

PTI leader and Overseas Pakistanis Commission, Punjab, vice chairman Makhdoom Syed Tariq Mahmoodul Hassan announced that the PTI workers would hold a protest against the ECP decision at the GOR-I gate on Saturday (today).

The PTI youth and labour wings also staged protest demonstrations and announced continuing holding protests on Saturday (today).

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2022