Disappointment Over Verdict; No Ambiguity Left About Our Members’ Independence: Barrister Gohar

Islamabad: Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Ali, has expressed deep disappointment over the recent Supreme Court verdict, emphasizing that there should be no ambiguity regarding the independence of PTI-backed members. He asserted that following the court’s decision, their members will now be considered part of the Sunni Ittehad Council.
Addressing a press conference, Barrister Gohar stated that PTI had approached the Election Commission and the notification of 86 of their members had already been issued.
He criticized the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, saying it was disheartening and that their elected MNAs and MPAs cannot be categorized as independent. “It is a matter of regret that such injustice has taken place. We will continue our struggle. Do not let the bias against PTI result in such unfairness,” he said, highlighting that the notifications for the reserved seats had already been issued and remained unchallenged.
He recalled that a previous bench of eight judges had granted these reserved seats to PTI, and they had expected the same outcome. Gohar also questioned the procedure of the larger bench, noting that the decision did not follow the proper process and that if the matter of the 26th Constitutional Amendment was to be reviewed, it should have been addressed before the issue of reserved seats.
Reaffirming PTI’s commitment to democratic values, he stated, “Despite our mandate being stolen, we had 80 seats. We are trying to uphold democracy.” Gohar also revealed that the Election Commission had labeled PTI-backed members as independents and despite submitting affidavits in the name of the Sunni Ittehad Council, their reserved seats were allocated to other parties.
Senator Shibli Faraz: Constitution Has Been Distorted
Senator Shibli Faraz stated that the constitution has been distorted in Pakistan, adding that elections were constitutionally mandated within 90 days, but were delayed under the pretext that PTI had been “dismantled.”
He alleged that despite PTI not having an electoral symbol, the public still voted for its candidates, who were later subjected to pressure and coercion. He criticized the Election Commission for its selective conduct, pointing out that Senate elections were held in Sindh and Punjab but not for the National Assembly.
He also criticized the government’s financial priorities, claiming that the finance minister is only focused on borrowing, with no visible plans for economic growth or national sovereignty.
Kanwal Shauzab: Verdict Has Insulted Public Mandate
PTI leader Kanwal Shauzab called the court verdict a “dark day” in Pakistan’s history, claiming that it insulted the public mandate. She said the people voted for PTI-backed candidates, yet the seats were handed to those who were rejected by the electorate.
“Is it written anywhere in the Constitution or the Election Act that seats will be distributed this way?” she questioned, adding that this is a repeat of earlier electoral manipulations. Shauzab warned that the implications of this decision will impact parliamentary politics at every level.