Those who voted in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment have committed treason against Pakistan, former prime minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday as his party inquires into complaints of party violation by lawmakers.
“I want to make it clear that anyone who voted for the 26th Constitutional Amendment has undermined the foundations of the Constitution of Pakistan and betrayed the nation,” he told reporters at the Adiala Jail.
The government narrowly passed constitutional amendments on October 21 giving lawmakers more power to appoint top judges, who have issued a series of recent decisions favouring opposition chief Imran Khan.
The judicial reforms changed the appointment process of the chief justice of Pakistan and the formation of benches. It also set a date for the end of riba (interest-based banking) “as far as practicable by January 1, 2028.”
According to reports, some lawmakers from Imran Khan’s party defected and were in favour of voting for the amendment despite the party’s decision to oppose it.
As many as 21 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members of the National Assembly defected during the 26th Constitutional Amendment vote earlier this month, PTI lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat said while appearing on Aaj News programme Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir on Monday.
Khan described the “mental anguish” he has experienced while being confined, calling it a “deplorable and shameful act.” He alleged that he was treated worse than animals, noting that the power in his cell was cut for five days, leaving him in “complete darkness” and he was not allowed outside for 10 days.
He claimed that for several weeks, his doctors, family, and lawyers were barred from visiting him.
The PTI founder added that he remains committed to fighting for the “Haqeeqi Azadi [true freedom]” of the Pakistani people despite such hardships and torture aimed at breaking him.
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He claimed that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif showed no interest in Pakistan’s future or the welfare of its citizens, as all of his wealth and assets were abroad. Khan accused Sharif of only returning to Pakistan for the purpose of looting and then going back to his home country.
While expressing concerns over the “abduction” of his focal person Waqar Panjutha, Khan stated that the enforced disappearance was a result of a “personal vendetta” against him.
He lamented the “lawlessness” in the country and added that it has been 21 days since his focal person was abducted and questioned what crime he committed. Khan voiced his disappointment that the courts “remain silent on such issues.”
