‘Imran will lead the nation from jail’: PTI Core Committee

Former ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared its intention to participate in the upcoming general elections across all constituencies in the country.

The decision was made following a key meeting of the party’s core committee.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had previously confirmed that the general elections will take place on February 8, 2024, after the Supreme Court’s instructions.

ECP announces 8th February,2024 as poll date for the General Elections to the National Assembly of Pakistan and Provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan #ECP pic.twitter.com/pbSpLF9Z9o

— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL) (@ECP_Pakistan) November 3, 2023

The announcement followed consultations with President Arif Alvi in response to the apex court’s directives.

Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Sikandar Sultan Raja, along with the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mr. Mansoor Usman Awan, and four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, came to meet President Dr. Arif Alvi, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/wsPqo5tIxl

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 2, 2023

The Imran Khan-led party, in its statement, reiterated its determination to take part in electoral politics, adding that “Coercion and fascism will not deter [PTI] from contesting the elections.”

Addressing former prime minister and party chairman Imran Khan’s incarceration, the statement said: “The PTI chairman will lead the nation after being released [from Adiala jail]”.

“If the chairman is kept incarcerated, [then] he will lead the nation from the jail,” it added.

As per Imran Khan’s instructions, the party is set to actively engage in the national and provincial assembly elections, undeterred by any form of coercion or suppression, the core committee affirmed.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐝 𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐭:

It is the fiduciary duty of the judiciary and the lawyers to protect the Constitution, upon which rests the progress of…

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 1, 2023

The committee paid glowing tributes to the party chairman for demonstrating “unparalleled courage, resilience, and determination”.

Imran Khan stands as an embodiment of struggle, resistance, maturity, determination, and perseverance in the pursuit of genuine liberation for the nation, the committee noted, highlighting the chairman’s “unwavering resolve” despite his nearly 100-day “unjust incarceration”.

Members of the committee highlighted that Imran Khan’s “bravery and unwavering commitment” to not compromise on the true freedom of the nation serve as a wellspring of inspiration for the 240 million Pakistanis.

The PTI also plans to release a ‘White Paper’ outlining the alleged failures of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the caretaker government, which, they claim, have contributed to the country’s economic crisis.

Notably, the PTI has voiced concerns about the lack of a level playing field in the upcoming elections, a sentiment echoed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Both parties have alleged biased treatment favoring the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Meanwhile, as political parties gear up for the elections, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N, has directed party members to begin their preparations for the upcoming polls during a recent meeting in Lahore.