Latest news with #SalmanAkramRaja
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Raja seeks masses' support for PTI protest
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja speaks to journalists outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on February 25, 2025. SCREENGRAB PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has called for a nationwide protest on August 5, urging the public to rally behind what he described as a "historic movement". Framing the party's struggle as a fight for national sovereignty rather than mere political survival, Raja appealed for mass participation to defend democratic rights. Addressing a news conference in Lahore on Monday alongside senior PTI leaders, Raja condemned what he described as unconstitutional actions targeting PTI lawmakers and a broader crackdown on dissent. He criticised the Punjab Assembly's decision to send references against 26 PTI members to the ECP, calling the move unlawful and politically motivated. "Our members will continue to raise their voices against this unconstitutional step," he said. Raja accused the government of systematically sidelining over 100 elected PTI members through the manipulation of Form-47 during the electoral process. He further alleged that the May 9 protests were deliberately misrepresented.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Salman Akram Raja announces nationwide PTI protest for August 5
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has called for a nationwide protest on August 5, urging the public to rally behind what he described as a 'historic movement.' Framing the party's struggle as a fight for national sovereignty rather than mere political survival, Raja appealed for mass participation to defend democratic rights. Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday alongside senior PTI leaders, he condemned what he called unconstitutional actions targeting PTI lawmakers, describing a broader crackdown on dissent. He criticised the Punjab Assembly's decision to send references against 26 PTI members to the Election Commission of Pakistan, calling the move unlawful and politically motivated. 'Our members will continue to raise their voices against this unconstitutional step,' he said. Raja accused the government of systematically sidelining over 100 elected PTI members through the manipulation of Form-47 during the electoral process. 'This is not just political engineering—it is an assault on the people's mandate,' he asserted. He further alleged that the May 9 protests were deliberately misrepresented, claiming that what began as a peaceful demonstration was later portrayed as a violent conspiracy. He called for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events and demanded the release of CCTV footage to substantiate the allegations made against PTI supporters. 'In jail, Imran Khan continues to praise our assembly members for standing firm,' Raja noted, adding that the PTI founder has been denied both legal and family access and is being subjected to harsh conditions, including long hours without ventilation. He warned that Pakistan's political and judicial systems were at a critical juncture, describing July 21 as potentially 'a dark day in political and judicial history.' Raja criticised the state's use of anti-sedition laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to suppress dissent in both politics and journalism. He also rejected speculation about internal deals within the party, maintaining that PTI members remain united and committed to their political stance. 'We are not stepping back. If someone dropped their reference, it does not mean there was a deal,' he clarified. Reaffirming the party's constitutional position, Raja said, 'Disqualification is only possible under Articles 62 and 63. No one can be disqualified beyond that.' He added that truth-telling had effectively been criminalised and expressed concern over the erosion of freedom of expression. The press conference took a contentious turn when a journalist asked whether Raja's rhetoric was aimed at keeping PTI's founder behind bars, and inquired about the nature of the planned protest. Raja responded calmly, stating that he had recently met with PTI leader Aliya Hamza to discuss organisational matters. However, PTI MPA Farrukh Javed Moon interrupted, labelling the journalist's question 'stupid' and telling him to 'lower your voice,' accusing him of being disrespectful. The confrontation prompted Moon to walk out of the press conference, while other journalists protested his behaviour. Raja attempted to de-escalate the situation and urged restraint. Despite the disruption, he reiterated PTI's willingness to engage in dialogue and accountability. 'We want the truth to prevail—if someone deserves punishment, let justice take its course. But let us not punish political dissent,' he said. Raja concluded by affirming that PTI remains strong both inside and outside Parliament and dismissed ongoing efforts to sideline the party as futile. 'The people are still with Imran Khan,' he said. 'Whether it's the 27th or 28th constitutional amendment—it won't change the truth.'
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab PTI MPAs face speaker's reference
Listen to article Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has announced that a reference will be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against 26 suspended PTI MPAs over their "disruptive, abusive and violative" conduct during a recent assembly session. The move follows the suspension issued on June 27 under Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the provincial legislature of the Punjab, 1997, after the members disrupted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's address with slogans and ruckus in the House. Further escalating tensions, the speaker also ordered recovery of Rs2,035,000 in damages from 10 PTI MPAs - Rs203,550 each – for climbing desks and damaging eight microphones during their June 16 protest during the provincial budget presentation. In another incident, PTI MPA Hassan Malik (PP-81) was barred from attending the assembly until the current session is prorogued, following his act of hurling a copy of the budget speech at Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman. On June 24, the speaker gave a ruling stressing the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum: "I emphasise all members, regardless of their political affiliation, in order to preserve decorum, uphold the dignity of this august Assembly, and ensure that parliamentary proceedings can continue without disruption." "I shall take all the steps within the legal framework to maintain order and uphold dignity of this august House and its members," he further warned. The response came after Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar raised a point of order, defending protest as a constitutional right. To determine the limits of that right, the speaker cited Rule 223 of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure, enacted under Article 67, read with Article 127 of the Constitution, which outlines members' conduct in the House. However, Bhachar strongly condemned the speaker's orders and vowed the opposition would continue its protest undeterred by threats of de-seating or financial penalties. "It was decided in our parliamentary meeting that opposition members will enter and leave the House silently," he said, noting that when he attempted to speak on a point of order, the speaker did not grant him the floor. PTI rejects 'fascist tactics' Meanwhile, senior PTI leaders blasted the ruling coalition and the judiciary, denouncing the "orchestrated campaign" to suppress the party and dismantle democracy. They firmly rejected the notion of a "Minus Imran" formula. In a joint press conference with suspended Punjab Assembly members, PTI legal counsel Salman Akram Raja, Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa condemned the systematic persecution of their party. "There is no Minus-Imran plan. The party hasn't even considered such a thing," Salman Akram Raja said. "For 78 years, we've been fed the illusion of democracy, when in reality, we've only seen authoritarian rule," he added, accusing the state of continuously installing "political proxies". Raja noted that PTI had engaged even with those "propped up on crutches", only to meet inertia. "Every time we met them, they said: 'We'll ask and let you know.' Even when we requested a meeting with our party founder, they again said they had to seek permission. They admitted they had no authority. So, what are we to negotiate with such powerlessness?" Regarding the Swat tragedy, where 16 tourists lost their lives in a flash flood, Raja acknowledged the limits of governance in natural calamities, adding, "If a family on a picnic is struck by an act of God, what can any government do? The K-P government isn't Superman." Opposition Leader Bhachar reiterated claims of institutional overreach. "We're resisting fascism in the Punjab Assembly," he said. "Last night, they launched a surprise assault and suspended 26 of our members." Bhachar maintained that PTI lawmakers had exercised their constitutional right to protest. "Not only were we suspended, but they also fined us. And now they're preparing to file references in the Election Commission," he said, pointing out double standards in the chamber. "The deputy speaker was raising slogans from the chair... has any action been taken against him?" He added that he had tried three times to take the floor but was not allowed to speak. "It is a principle that the opposition leader must be given the floor when he rises," Bhachar said, noting that legal consultation on the fines is underway. Sardar Latif Khosa, meanwhile, took aim at the judiciary. "Justice Qazi Faez Isa's decisions are equivalent to murdering democracy," he said. "The nation is holding him accountable — and will continue to do so." He also questioned the legitimacy of the chief election commissioner's continued service. "He's retired, yet still sitting due to the 26th constitutional amendment," Khosa said, adding that the notion of military courts for civilians was incompatible with democracy. Calling the SC's reserved seats case decision "the darkest in its history", Khosa said, "We had a two-thirds majority, yet we are to receive zero Senate seats? There cannot be a more disgraceful or repugnant decision than this." "These decisions will cost the nation for centuries," he warned, pledging never to surrender. "We are fighting for the rights of the people of Pakistan." Salman Akram Raja said PTI's commitment remained undeterred. "Yesterday's decision has not weakened our commitment. We will restore the rights of the people," he declared. "This case isn't about PTI or the Sunni Ittehad Council alone — it belongs to every citizen." "We reject this verdict, and will continue to do so," he asserted. He accused the state of sidelining PTI from the February 8 general elections. "First, our electoral symbol was snatched. Then, our reserved seats were looted in the dark of night." "In Pakistan's entire legal history, there are only two rulings that went against tyranny. This was not one of them," he added. "Our opposition seats were distributed like spoils of war to other parties. The Constitution demands that reserved seats be proportionally allocated to parties winning general seats." "In this country, democracy has been treated like forbidden fruit," Raja said. "There's no doubt that PTI is the largest political force. Yesterday was just another failed attempt to silence that voice."
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CB mulls SC powers for 'complete justice'
Some members of a constitutional bench (CB) of the Supreme Court raised a number of questions with regard to the SC's powers to ensure "complete justice". They also asked how non allocations of reserved seats to the PTI could be called a violation of fundamental rights. PTI leader Kanwal Shauzab's counsel Salman Akram Raja on Friday resumed his arguments in support of the SC's July 12 majority order in the reserved seats case before the 11-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan that is hearing review petitions against the verdict. Raja, in his arguments, stated that it is the responsibility of this court to protect fundamental rights and this responsibility is assigned to it by the Constitution. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail asked Raja as to how Article 187 applies in this case. Article 187(1) gives the Supreme Court the power to issue any order or direction necessary for doing complete justice in any case pending before it while Article 187(2) gives it the powers as a civil court to enforce its decisions, including issuing orders to any person or authority. Raja replied that he would explain this in detail later. He said the Supreme Court has broader authority and can use Article 187 together with Article 184 to deliver complete justice. Justice Mandokhail asked whether Article 184(3) is used in public interest cases. Salman Akram Raja responded in the affirmative. He said the SC can use Article 184(3) for public interest and fundamental rights. "When there is destruction or crisis, one does not ask which article appliesthen the Supreme Court must step forward and do what is necessary." Justice Mandokhail asked whether, if a constitutional violation occurs but no specific article applies, the SC should still take action. The lawyer said in such a situation, the SC should do whatever is necessary. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted that Article 199 cannot be read together with Article 187. He remarked that under Article 199, the high court has powers that even the Supreme Court does not possess. Article 199 of the Constitution outlines the writ jurisdiction of the high courts. It empowers high courts to issue various writs (orders) to enforce fundamental rights and ensure lawful conduct by authorities. Justice Salahuddin Panhwar asked what, in his view, are the limits of the Supreme Court's powers. Justice Jamal Mandokhail said, "My brother judge suggests that there must be some limit to the powers. Does the Supreme Court have unlimited powers in every case?" He then asked whether any constitutional or legal violation occurred in the majority decision of the reserved seats case. Salman Akram Raja said, "There was no overreach in the Supreme Court's decision." Justice Mandokhail remarked that the Constitution itself gives parties the right to join within three days. Justice Aminuddin Khan interjected.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lawyers demand release of Imran Khan
A lawyers' convention held in Lahore on Saturday demanded the immediate release of former prime minister Imran Khan and political workers as it urged that all national issues be resolved through dialogue, while calling for avoiding the use of force. A declaration issued after the convention organized by the Lahore High Court Bar and the Lahore Bar's All Pakistan Lawyers Convention also demanded that all political workers "who have been subjected to enforced disappearances outside the constitutional and legal framework" be immediately released. The convention also strongly condemned the recent amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), stating that these changes violate fundamental rights — freedom of expression and press. "The lawyers also express solidarity with journalists and media workers across Pakistan who are struggling for freedom of speech," the declaration added. The convention also defended Pakistan's rightful claim to water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which India unilaterally suspended after a militant attack in held Kashmir on April 22. "The declaration strongly condemns India's attack on Pakistan's sovereignty. The prompt response of the Pakistan Armed Forces, especially the Pakistan Air Force, is highly appreciated," it added. Addressing the convention, senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja earlier said lawyers carry the great responsibility to tell the people that their vote was stolen in the February 2024 elections. "A system built on lies has been imposed on us. The 26th Constitutional Amendment is part of that falsehood. After rigging the elections, there was an attempt to control our courts," he said. Raja, who belongs to Imran Khan's PTI, said those who rigged the elections cannot tolerate democracy in this country. He said for 78 years, democracy has repeatedly been attacked.
