- SIC, MWM forge unconditional alliance with PTI
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- MWM to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with PTI come what may: Raja Nasir Abbas
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan announced that PTI-affiliated independent candidates would formally join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) in the National Assembly (NA) as well as in provinces including Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in order to grab the reserved seats of PTI.
The PTI Chairman made the announcement while addressing a press conference along with PTI Secretary General and the party’s nominee for PM slot Omar Ayub Khan, Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) Secretary General Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, SIC’s head Sahibzada Hamid Raza and PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan here on Monday.
Gohar Khan said that the party-backed independents, who emerged victorious on the National Assembly and KP and Punjab assemblies seats, would join the SIC as a party.
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— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 19, 2024
The PTI Chairman made it clear that after the approval of PTI Chairman-for-life Imran Khan, the agreement has been reached with the SIC and MWM with consensus.
He announced plans to submit applications for special seats in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), formalizing the affiliation of their candidates with the coalition.
“Our candidates have submitted their affidavits with us and with their consent, we are announcing that PTI-supported independents are joining the SIC,” he said.
Barrister Gohar said the PTI-backed independent candidates are required to join any party within three days following the issuance of notification under the law.
He went on to say that PTI had won 180 seats in the National Assembly across the country; hence they demanded that electoral watchdog should issue notifications of the returned candidates as per form-45 because all nominees had PTI endorsement on their nomination papers.
The PTI Chairman recalled that PTI issued ticketed to the candidates; however after snatching the party’s electoral symbol bat, ECP declared their candidates as independent candidates.
“We demand ECP to allot reserved seats to us as per our mandate and in line with the law,” he added. Barrister Gohar reiterated the shared vision of the coalition, stating that the decision to join the SIC aimed at fostering unity and progress across the nation.
Barrister Gohar reiterated his party’s stance of alleged rigging in the general elections and claimed that his party 180 seats in the NA, but the results were massively rigged.
Speaking on the occasion, Omer Ayub said that PTI wanted unity in the country and therefore party-backed candidates have decided to join the SIC in the Centre and all provinces.
He stated that the decision to join the SIC was made to get reserved seats as they are only allotted to political parties, which would further increase the strength of PTI.
About the explosive revelations of the ex-Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chatha, PTI Secretary General said that large scale rigging was done to convert PTI’s overwhelming majority into minority, but added that the party would get its mandate back come what may.
Ayub said the PTI had demanded that party-supported candidates should be declared as returned candidates.
He noted that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) stole PTI seats in Karachi and Hyderabad during the elections 2024. He said that PTI seats were pilfered in Peshawar and elsewhere in the country especially in Punjab.
PTI’s PM candidate made it clear that PTI would form the government in the Centre and the provinces.
“Our first task after forming government will be to ensure the instant release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi and other party incarcerated leaders and workers,” he vowed.
Expressing gratitude towards the MWM and SIC for their unwavering support, Ayub acknowledged their role in bolstering PTI’s stance, adding that they vehemently opposed sectarianism and would make all-out efforts to foster unity and cohesion within Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Hamid Raza Khan and Allama Nasir Abbas commended PTI for contesting elections despite all odds and winning the elections without the “bat” symbol. Both the leaders have said that their alliance with PTI is ‘unconditional’.
Talking about alliance with PTI, Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that the decision to forge an alliance with PTI has been taken with the permission of Imran Khan.
“My party does not believe in the politics of hatred. All sects are standing with PTI,” he added.
He emphasized their shared vision for a Nizam Mustafa in Pakistan and reaffirmed their commitment to peace and non-violence, adding that his party’s alliance with the PTI dates back nearly eight years.
“I want to clarify that this is not a single-handed decision but it was taken after consultation with Imran Khan,” he said.
Hamid Raza made it clear that the policy would be that of PTI and Imran Khan, on which the agreement has also been signed. “I want to clarify one more thing that our support of Imran Khan and the PTI is unconditional and without any demand,” the SIC head said.
He went on to say that the SIC and MMW were two parties that had always opposed sectarian violence and did not believe in militancy.
On the occasion, MWM chief said that MWM would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with PTI, emphasizing their joint struggle for the nation’s uplift.
Nasir Abbas strongly denounced the large-scale rigging on February 8, stressing the need for electoral transparency and adherence to constitutional norms. He called for a fair electoral process devoid of manipulation, underscoring the importance of democracy in steering the country towards prosperity.
He lauded that PTI workers and leadership made a history by facing all the hardship, coercion and operations with patience and perseverance.
Nasir Abbas went on to say that PTI government was ousted under the conspiracy. He lamented that efforts were afoot once again to impose those who ruined the country and did not have the ability to run the government. “We will ensure release of PTI Founding Chairman in a dignifying manner,” he vowed.
He went on to say that fake and absurd FIRs were registered against PTI founder, adding that only PTI Funding Chairman could do the work of nation building.
 Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan announced that PTI-affiliated independent candidates would formally join the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) in the National Assembly (NA) as well as in provinces including Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in order to grab the reserved seats of PTI.){kind=link}