Imran Khan suspends Jail Bharo movement after SC decision

PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has suspended party’s Jail Bharo movement following Supreme Court’s verdict for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 90 days, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a tweet uploaded on Wednesday, Imran Khan said that the PTI will now focus on running election campaigns in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The PTI chief said “We welcome the SC judgement. It was responsibility of the SC to uphold Constitution and they have valiantly done that through their judgement today. It is an assertion of Rule of Law in Pakistan.”

We welcome the SC judgement. It was responsibility of SC to uphold Constitution & they have valiantly done that through their judgement today. It is an assertion of Rule of Law in Pak. We are suspending our Jail Bharo movement & moving forward with elec campaigns in KP & Punjab.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 1, 2023

Earlier, the PTI hinted at calling off its court-arrest (Jail Bharo) movement. Sources told 24News that the PTI’s high command had asked the party leaders and workers not to surrender to police at least today. They further said that the party would announce its future course of action after consultations with the former prime minister and the PTI Chief Imran Khan. 

On the other hand, Focal Person Jail Bharo Tehreek Ijaz Chaudhry said that there will only be a demonstration in Faisalabad today, and no court arrests.

He further said that the party workers in Faisalabad would also celebrate the SC verdict. 

PTI’s viewpoint stands vindicated by SC’s decision: Fawad

Meanwhile, talking to media outside the SC building after the verdict, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that all five judges on the bench, which announced the verdict, had supported the PTI’s point of view. “For us, today’s decision is a unanimous decision and victory of the constitution,” he said, adding, “For us, the judgement is 5-0.” 

Reporter: Usman Khadim