Peshawar: Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, has strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s verdict on reserved seats, calling it one of the most disgraceful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic decisions in Pakistan’s history, adding that the entire nation will have to bear the consequences of this decision.
Speaking at a press conference in District Swat Press Club, Barrister Dr. Saif said that the ruling is a blatant attempt to sideline Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), adding that the party will strongly resist it on all forums. “Under the guise of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the public mandate is being brazenly trampled,” he said. “Awarding PTI’s reserved seats to other parties is a daylight robbery of public mandate. And when it comes time to uphold justice, even the institutions tasked with it betray the people.”
Commending ANP leader and former Chief Minister Haider Khan Hoti, Dr. Saif said that by refusing to accept reserved seats allotted through this unjust ruling, Mr. Hoti has upheld democratic principles and set an example for those who truly believe in constitutionalism. “His principled stance is worthy of praise,” he added.
Dr. Saif also criticized JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying he is among the foremost beneficiaries of the Supreme Court’s flawed ruling, yet continues to lecture others while claiming to represent Islam. “If he’s sincere, he should relinquish those unlawfully acquired seats.”
Commenting on former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dr. Saif said, “He is being punished for crimes he never committed. Frivolous cases have been filed against him, he has been arrested and imprisoned, all in an effort to suppress PTI’s popularity. But the nation still stands firmly with Imran Khan, and God willing, he will emerge victorious.”
Dr. Saif demanded that parties who claim to uphold democracy should voluntarily relinquish the PTI seats they were awarded illegitimately, as they neither have any constitutional nor moral right to them.
On security issues, Barrister Dr. Saif emphasized that terrorism cannot be eliminated by military operations alone. “It is a social, political, and administrative problem that requires public participation and serious commitment from state institutions,” he noted. “Terrorists are fighting against the state, yet unfortunately, the federal and KP provincial governments are not on the same page in this war.”
He criticized the federal government for failing to provide financial and technical assistance in the fight against terrorism, saying KP has been left to fend for itself. “Federal institutions are busy arresting PTI’s social media activists, but they take no action against terrorists who use social media as a weapon. Even the recommendations of the Apex Committee are being ignored.”
Barrister Dr. Saif also denounced the federal government’s double standards in trade policies. “We want to promote trade with Afghanistan to boost economic activity in border regions, but we are being obstructed. Meanwhile, no questions are asked when Punjab and Sindh CMs sign trade agreements with China. This hypocrisy is unacceptable.”