LAHORE: Well before the 26th constitutional amendment was put to vote in Senate, the PTI announced it would hold protests outside the residences of those who would defy party policy by voting in favour of the 26th constitutional amendment.

However, the government managed to pass the 26th Amendment bill in Senate, without requiring the votes of PTI members.

PTI’s Punjab chapter information secretary Shaukat Basra earlier declared that any party senator or MNA who supported the amendment would be considered a “traitor”, both in Pakistan and abroad.

He said such individuals would be treated like former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Basra likened such figures to dictators ranging from the Pharaoh to Pervez Musharraf, all of whom were proud to have absolute authority, thought that they would stay forever and unleashed fascism, but eventually, they all were eliminated. “Whatever fascism is happening in Pakistan, the people will witness its end as well,” he said. “We reject the 26th army constitutional amendment.”

In a separate tweet, Mr Basra said traitors had no compulsion as they sold their conscience. “When the PTI senators and MNAs will come to vote for the 26th amendments, they will not come at gunpoint nor be able to say they were kidnapped,” he stated.

After the government successfully passed the amendment in the Senate, Mr Basra questioned what further harm could come after its approval, alleging that the establishment had already imposed martial law.

He called on the PTI leadership to rally, stating that real freedom could never be achieved without coming out on the roads. He said PTI founding chairman Imran Khan “should give a decisive call for the party’s march towards Adiala Jail”.

Commenting on the amendment clauses, Mr Basra accused the establishment of seeking control over the judiciary to appoint judges who would serve their interests by violating the Constitution and the law. He alleged that the amendment was designed to secure the current government’s tenure and facilitate the continued victimisation of PTI and its founder.

In yet another tweet, he alleged that the establishment, with the backing of the Sharif and Zardari families and other “political orphans”, had taken control of the judiciary, desecrating the Cons­titution, the law and democracy.

PTI’s Punjab chapter acting president Hammad Azhar alleged that the government was in a hurry to take control of the Supreme Court after the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in an attempt to conceal the “farce” of the February 2024 elections.

Meanwhile, PTI workers have expressed frustration, asking how they can oppose the “unconstitutional amendments” when the party leaders were in hiding and failed to participate in protests. They noted that the government had successfully crushed demonstrations, rendering the party’s protest campaign ineffective.

Published in Dawn, October 21th, 2024

Opinion

First line of defence

First line of defence

Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world.

Editorial

Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
31 Mar, 2025

Women’s rights

PAKISTAN’S legal system has issued some important rulings in recent days concerning women, which deserve more...
Not helping
31 Mar, 2025

Not helping

THE continued detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders — including Dr Mahrang Baloch in Quetta and Sammi ...
Hard habits
Updated 30 Mar, 2025

Hard habits

Their job is to ensure that social pressures do not build to the point where problems like militancy and terrorism become a national headache.
Dreams of gold
30 Mar, 2025

Dreams of gold

PROSPECTS of the Reko Diq project taking off soon seem to have brightened lately following the completion of the...
No invitation
30 Mar, 2025

No invitation

FOR all of Pakistan’s hockey struggles, including their failure to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup as well...