Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has urged the federal government to abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling for elections in Punjab, warning that failure to do so will result in retaliation.
Khan, speaking to supporters via video link on the occasion of ‘Youm-e-Tashakkur,’ emphasized the importance of upholding the court’s decision and urged the people to stand up for their right. He made it clear that the PTI would not tolerate any interference in the democratic process.
The Supreme Court’s three-member bench recently declared the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order to delay the election in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa unconstitutional and ordered the electoral body to hold the election in the province on May 14. The ECP had postponed the election date from April 30 to October 8, citing security concerns and an economic crisis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet have rejected the verdict and are set to present a resolution in parliament against it. However, Khan believes that the coalition partners are “running away” from the elections as their defeat is imminent.
Khan also reiterated his call for holding influential people accountable, stating that once the rule of law prevails, investment will pour into Pakistan. He added that engaging overseas Pakistanis and assuring them of the safety of their investment would resolve the nation’s dollar crunch.
Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis, grappling with external debts, high inflation, sluggish growth prospects, among other challenges. The State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are enough for less than a month’s imports, while the currency stands at an all-time low of Rs287.85 against the dollar.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
