Editorial
The constitution of Pakistan guarantees freedom of assembly under Article 16 of the constitution of Pakistan. The article allows all citizens the right to assemble and participate in protests. However, over the past two and half years, PTI has been denied this fundamental right by the governments. Accordingly, it has sparked criticism from various organizations, political experts, and human rights activists who have rallied in support of PTI’s right to assembly while condemning the government’s actions.
The irony lies in the fact that PTI governs in KPK, and therefore, the principle of freedom of assembly should be upheld. How can PTI advocate for this right in other provinces while neglecting it in their own governance? This administrative hypocrisy on the part of PTI raises concerns about the party’s commitment to its principles. The way the PTI government is dealing with PTM in KPK has not been welcomed by human rights activists in Pakistan. PTI governments claim that the federal government appoints the chief secretary and IG, and therefore, the latter is calling for administrative shots in KPK. However, it raises the fundamental question that police, provincial, and district administrations are provincial subjects. If PTI can not implement the present constitution on these positions and powers, how can they implement the whole constitution when it comes into power? It is pertinent to mention that the existing mode of appointing a chief secretary is governed by CSP rules, 1954 and the first constitution of Pakistan was promulgated in 1956.
If PTI is genuinely dedicated to establishing civilian supremacy, it must address why the KPK government engaged in shelling on PTM Jirga, burned their tents and dispersed them using the same violence that it condemns elsewhere in the country. This inconsistency calls into question PTI’s stance on civilian rights and raises doubts about the sincerity of its agenda.
