Gohar says PTI MPs being coerced to defect

• PTI chief slams re-arresting of Sanam Javed, Bushra Bibi.
• Gohar Khan says Bushra arrested again to "break" Imran.
• 25 independent MNAs "submitted" their affidavits to join PTI.

ISLAMABAD: Seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention to resolve the matter, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said Sunday parliamentary members of his party were being forced to switch their loyalties, The News reported.

Talking to media, Gohar condemned the "abduction" of PTI officials and their family members — including MNA Sahibzada Ameer Sultan, PTI media wing member Rizwan Malik, Mian Fayyaz Ahmad Chajra’s son Mian Tajamal Hussain and brother Mian Imtiaz Hussain and other social media activists.

On this occasion, the PTI chairman was flanked by PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, MNAs Atif Khan, and Sheikh Waqas.

The PTI leadership urged the top court to ensure implementation of its historic judgment pertaining to the reserved seats, taking notice of the harassment and abduction of PTI parliamentary members and their relatives.

The PTI chief slammed the government for re-arresting PTI supporter Sanam Javed and the party founder’s spouse Bushra Bibi, demanding their immediate release along with all other prisoners belonging to his party.

He claimed that Bushra Bibi was arrested again in the Toshakhana case only in a bid to “break” former prime minister Imran Khan, as his wife had nothing to do with the said case.

Meanwhile, Gohar apprised media that 25 independent MNAs had submitted their affidavits to join the PTI, while the remaining would submit theirs by Monday (today). The ECP should upload their candidates list and notify the reserved seats instantly, he asked.

He emphasised that the PTI remained united despite adversarial circumstances, enjoying 70 % public support because of Imran Khan’s 27-year-long political struggle.

Gohar urged the Supreme Court to fix the PTI’s petition on abductions and ensure the release of kidnapped individuals.

Atif emphasised that the country must be governed in accordance with the law and Constitution, as reliance on the use of brute force, coercion and harassment would only lead to a surge in barbarism.

Waqas said that after May 9, a reign of terror was unleashed to force defections, alleging even children being abducted.

Raoof reiterated his party’s demand to try the chief election commissioner (CEC) under Article 6 for conducting the "most fraudulent" elections in the country's history.