The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday rejected the government’s announcement of establishing an inquiry commission to probe the alleged foreign conspiracy that former prime minister Imran Khan had been claiming was behind the ouster of his government and demanded the formation of an independent judicial commission to investigate the matter.
“[The] PTI rejects the decision of the government to form a subordinate commission and will only recognize one commission, which would be subordinate to an independent judiciary and have an open hearing, former federal minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said while addressing a press conference alongside former state minister Farrukh Habib in Islamabad.
Reacting to allegations made by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb against Farah Gogi – a close friend of Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi – Fawad said: “Farah will address all allegations against her and will move forward accordingly.” But he did not give any timeframe.
He said that the coalition government blames her (Farah) because it has “nothing else to blame the PTI for”.
The PTI leader added that the conspiracy started after Imran Khan said “absolutely not” and ended with his ouster.
He was referring to remarks of the PTI chairman when he was asked by the foreign media if Pakistan will provide the US with any bases or assistance in counterterrorism operations in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Fawad told journalists that the PTI is holding public gatherings from May 6 to 20, after which Imran Khan will announce the planned long march.
“Millions of people will come out to support Imran Khan in the fight for real freedom,” he said.
The former minister also mentioned that a hearing in the case of 25 Punjab Assembly and 22 National Assembly dissident PTI members will be heard in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) today (Friday).
He mentioned that the ECP has to decide the case within 30 days, saying that the whole crisis revolves around the case of dissident members.
Fawad warned of the situation getting worse in case immediate elections are not held, however, he added that people shouldn’t panic.
Regarding the performance of the incumbent government, he said that terrorist activities in Pakistan have increased by 24 per cent
Most of the members of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet are currently on bail,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s economy is currently running without a driving force.
He highlighted that the premier is yet to appoint the energy minister, blaming them [the coalition government] for being involved in the trading of ministries. “The distribution of ministries in his [Shehbaz Sharif] family is being done on a monetary basis,” he maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, Farrukh Habib said that the coalition government had adopted “slavery and deceived people everywhere”.
“They are guests for a few more days and will leave soon,” he said.
Endorsing Fawad’s views, he reiterated that the only demand of the PTI is an independent judicial commission.
