41 MNAs being pressurised to change loyalty: PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Sunday urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the arrests of its lawmakers and claimed that after the verdict on the reserved seats, pressure was being put on their 41 MNAs to change their loyalties.

They announced strong protests across the country and hinted at the possibility of staging a sit-in at D Chowk on August 5 against the ‘government’s anti-people and anti-PTI policies’.

Holding a news conference here along with other PTI leaders, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub said the path these people are taking the country on will only lead to destruction.

“New elections are the only solution to problems in the country. It is not known where our people are being disappeared. They are not being treated well. What is the importance of parliament as a case has been registered against Sheikh Akram’s mother?” he charged.

Omar said what the government was doing was unconstitutional and illegal and that there was a clear message for the government to act sensibly. “These people (rulers) have no mandate. Tomorrow we will announce the future action plan in the party meeting”.

Speaking on the occasion, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser condemned the ‘pressure on MNAs and the government’s crackdown on the party’.

He said after the Supreme Court decision on reserved seats, their 41 MNAs were being specifically targeted to change their loyalty and they were getting offers of ministries and money in this regard. “If they don’t accept these offers, then they face pressure from the anti-corruption department. The Supreme Court should take suo motu action on it as it is contempt of its decision. If it does not happen, then I ask my secretary general to ask his legal team to present the matter before the Supreme Court,” he remarked.

He added, “If this country is run like this, then on August 5 we will hold large rallies and demonstrations on two issues i.e. Imran Khan’s illegal arrest and inflation. All Pakistanis are requested to fully participate in it.”

Supporting Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest on the issue of IPPs, he insisted the agreements with IPPs should be reviewed because now it was not up to the people to afford the power bills.

PTI’s MNA Sheikh Waqas Akram said cases were filed against Sanaullah Mastikhel, forcing him to go into hiding. “We strongly condemn what is happening in the country. The country’s economy and security system have been destroyed.” The PTI leader said that PTI stands with its every worker and politician.