Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced a boycott of by-elections on seats vacated due to disqualified members, while confirming its participation in the NA-129 by-election.  According to a statement issued by PTI’s political committee, the party thanked its incarcerated founding leader Imran Khan for showing full confidence in the political committee.

It stated that all political matters have now been entrusted to the committee for further consultation.  The statement expressed serious concern over the daily hearings of the Toshakhana trial inside Adiala Jail, saying that such frequent hearings would violate the fundamental rights of the accused and hinder the delivery of justice. 

PTI's political committee reiterated that it considers the members disqualified in May 9 cases as its true representatives and paid tribute to them for enduring unjust sentences. It was announced that PTI would boycott the by-elections in constituencies of the disqualified members.  However, the party will contest the by-election in Lahore’s NA-129, a seat left vacant due to the death of Mian Azhar, and has decided to field a candidate there. 

The committee also announced, on the instruction of PTI’s founding leader, the resignation from the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, and directed all party members to immediately resign from the chairmanship and membership of standing committees. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)