Key Takeaways
- PTI criticises Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) for seeking Supreme Court record.
- PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram accuses government of weakening judicial independence.
- PTI demands Imran Khan be transferred to a private hospital for better medical treatment.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has criticised the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) for seeking the record of Supreme Court proceedings related to the hospital transfer of party founding chairman Imran Khan.
In a statement, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram expressed concerns over the FCC's intervention, stating that it raises questions about overlapping judicial authority and the government's attempt to weaken judicial independence through constitutional amendments.
Akram urged the FCC not to interfere in matters already pending before the Supreme Court, which was due to resume proceedings in the case.
The government has defended the constitutional reforms, while the PTI has repeatedly opposed them, alleging that they undermine judicial independence and serve political interests.
Akram also questioned Chief Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan Yahya Afridi's handling of Imran Khan's medical treatment, asking why contempt proceedings had not been initiated over the non-implementation of a Supreme Court order.
He reiterated the party's demand for Khan to be shifted to a private hospital for comprehensive medical treatment, including access to his personal doctors and specialists.
The PTI spokesman accused the government of targeting party workers through arrests, raids, and restrictions on political activities, citing the authorities' treatment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi during his visit to Lahore.
Akram said restrictions on the PTI's planned political activities, including its September 27 march, violated constitutional guarantees relating to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly.
The government has previously cited security and law-and-order concerns when imposing restrictions on political gatherings.
The opposition party also criticised the government's latest increase in petroleum prices, rejecting its fuel relief package as inadequate.
PTI called for the price increases to be reversed and for measures to provide sustained relief to consumers.
The opposition reiterated its demand for the release of Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other political prisoners, saying their continued detention was contributing to political tensions.
Akram said the political and economic problems of the country could not be resolved through constitutional changes or confrontation among state institutions.
He called for constitutional rule, democratic legitimacy, and independent institutions, urging all state institutions to remain within their constitutional jurisdictions.
No government or public office-holder should be above the Constitution.
Sheikh Waqas Akram, PTI spokesman
