PTI Questions Loyalty of MNAs Amid Constitutional Amendment Controversy

In recent developments, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the main opposition party, has raised concerns regarding the loyalty of some of its lawmakers. The party fears that seven of its Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) may have been 'won over' by the government. This situation arises amidst the government's efforts to gather support for a controversial constitutional amendment aimed at implementing significant reforms in the judiciary.

During a background briefing held on Thursday, PTI officials expressed their apprehensions, stating that they have 'lost confidence' in these seven lawmakers. To address this issue, the party is taking proactive measures to ensure that these legislators do not switch their allegiances. Furthermore, PTI claims to be in contact with at least two MNAs from the ruling coalition, who have assured the party that they will refrain from attending the National Assembly sessions when the constitutional amendment is presented for approval.

When questioned by journalists about how PTI plans to oppose the constitutional amendment in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on Article 63A, which allows lawmakers some flexibility to vote 'according to their conscience', party leaders remained optimistic. They asserted that the majority of their legislators would remain loyal to the party's stance. One PTI leader remarked, 'Those who think that Imran Khan will leave the country or compromise on his principles are living in a fool’s paradise.'

In a bold move, PTI leaders announced that their legislators would not participate in any parliamentary sessions until October 25. However, they acknowledged the existence of seven legislators who might struggle to withstand external pressures. Out of these, five have reportedly been relocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while one is currently outside the country. The status of one MNA remains unknown to the party.

PTI leaders emphasized that their legislators cannot fathom changing their loyalty due to the pressure from party workers. They expressed confidence that even Mubarak Zeb, an independent MNA from a newly merged district, would continue to support PTI. 'Although it is next to impossible that Imran Khan would start supporting PPP, even he will not be able to change the already announced policy, because workers will not listen,' they stated. They further elaborated that Imran Khan has spent over two decades training his supporters, making it unlikely for any significant changes to occur in the party's direction.

Moreover, PTI leaders voiced their concerns about the potential consequences of the government's actions. They fear that after diminishing the power of the judiciary and the opposition, the authorities may turn their attention to the media, aiming to render it 'completely toothless'. There are also predictions that both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) could be sidelined in the future, with religious parties potentially being integrated into the mainstream political landscape.

The current political climate in Pakistan is fraught with uncertainty and tension. The PTI's concerns about the loyalty of its lawmakers reflect a broader struggle within the political arena, where alliances are constantly shifting. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the future of governance and democracy in Pakistan. The ongoing dialogue surrounding the constitutional amendment and its implications for the judiciary will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in the months to come.