Achakzai says PTI may quit assemblies over treatment of Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai has said the opposition alliance could withdraw from parliament and provincial assemblies if, in his words, the current treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan continues.

Speaking to a private television channel on Monday, Achakzai said the situation had reached a critical stage and linked the future of the opposition in legislatures to what he described as shrinking political space for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies.

He said he feared the alliance would not be able to remain in the assembly if the present approach towards Imran Khan persisted." I fear that if the current attitude towards Imran Khan continues, we will not be able to stay in the assembly."

Achakzai questioned the basis of the cases against the jailed former premier and criticised what he said were threats of an extremely long prison sentence. Referring to the possibility of a military trial, he also challenged the rationale for such a move. "What has he [Imran] done? Has he committed murders, as you are threatening that a 50-year prison sentence can be announced? He has only said that his snatched mandate should be returned to him. But you have been saying that a 50-year prison term can be announced. You want to try him in a military court. Tell me if he is a general or a colonel."

He said parliament had effectively been stripped of meaning if even access to the PTI founder was not possible, and indicated that a boycott was no longer merely a theoretical option. According to Achakzai, if PTI's central committee decided that the party should leave the assemblies in Punjab, Sindh and the Centre while continuing to run the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, that decision would be carried out.

"If the PTI's central committee suggests quitting the assemblies in Punjab, Sindh and the Centre, and only running the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it will be implemented."

When asked whether he expected such a recommendation from PTI's central leadership, Achakzai said he did not fear that possibility and could already see it emerging. He added that the opposition had been left with no real alternative and said withdrawal from assemblies and parliamentary committees would become unavoidable.

"I don't fear it, I can see it coming. We will have no option but to withdraw from the assemblies and parliamentary committees."

Achakzai also alleged what he called selective accountability in the justice system, claiming that people involved in serious crimes were free while Imran Khan remained behind bars. He further warned that the government itself was pushing the opposition towards a boycott and pointed to the numerical impact such a move could have in the National Assembly, saying PTI held 50 to 60 seats. :There are 50 to 60 PTI seats in the assembly. What will you do if the PTI pulls out?"