The PTI has welcomed the announcement of the election date while praising the Supreme Court for its intervention to ensure that a date was announced.

“The Supreme Court’s intervention, role, and decision will help in overcoming the uncertainty in the country,” the party said after its Core Committee meeting on Friday.

However, the Election Commission was faced with the challenge of conducting free, fair and transparent elections in the country, PTI said, adding: “For the last 18 months, the political party representing the majority of the people is on the target of the worst state repression and fascism.”

The party went on to add that soon after the election date was announced, the house of PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leader Ali Amin Gandapur’s sister was raided in a provocative display of state terrorism.

“PTI’s participation in the election process without any fear or hindrance is essential to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections,” PTI stated.

The party also called for the provision of equal opportunities for all political parties who want to participate in the elections.

The former ruling party also urged the ECP to immediately take decisions on all the pending issues including the provision of the election symbol “Bat” to the PTI and ensure the availability of a level playing field during the general polls.

The PTI also called for reviewing the arrangements made by the previous and the caretaker governments in the administrative structure and to ensure they are in line with the transparency of elections.

“The ongoing oppression and fascism against PTI should be stopped and the revenge and brutality should be stopped by immediately releasing the leaders and thousands of imprisoned workers including Chairman Imran Khan,” the party said.

The PTI has mobilised all the organisational structures and workers from the central level to the local level after the PTI chief instructed to fully participate in the elections, it added.

“The PTI Core Committee reiterated its decision to boycott four anchors for their support of the state machinery in unconstitutional and illegal actions and deviating from the principles of journalistic values, ethics, and professional integrity,” PTI said.