ISLAMABAD, April 29 (Alliance News): Growing concerns of disqualification are spreading within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ranks following the Supreme Court’s recent directive to trial courts to conclude all May 9-related cases within four months.
According to The News, PTI lawmakers fear that convictions could lead to their removal from the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures.
Party members have reportedly expressed deep dissatisfaction with the judicial process, fearing that the current political climate may undermine fair trials.
In light of this, PTI leadership is considering reviving talks with the establishment, seeing dialogue as the only path left after failed political strategies.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has been proposed as a potential figure to lead these discussions in an effort to de-escalate tensions. A senior PTI figure commented that normalization—even if gradual—is essential to prevent further political damage.
PTI insiders have admitted that earlier efforts, including boycott campaigns and protest marches, have yielded no results. Hopes of a grand opposition alliance have diminished, and expectations of support from the judiciary or international actors have not materialized.
The recent Supreme Court order was issued by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to speed up trials of those implicated in the May 9 events. The PTI legal team has voiced concern that the order could be misapplied, leading to unfair convictions.
According to the Punjab Prosecution Department, 319 FIRs related to May 9 incidents were registered in Punjab alone, nominating nearly 36,000 individuals. More than 11,000 people have been arrested, while over 24,000 are still at large. Police have submitted final challans in 307 of the cases.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, who is facing 10 murder FIRs, said the government’s crackdown on PTI continues despite exposure of false witness statements in many cases. He accused the government of focusing on silencing the opposition while “India prepares for aggression against Pakistan.”
Ayub warned that if convictions lead to disqualifications, PTI leaders “would take the bull by the horns,” indicating potential resistance ahead.
