Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Asad Qaiser has warned that his party is “seriously considering” exiting the system, while stressing the need for a new Charter of Democracy in the country. Qaiser’s comments came hours after he claimed restrictions on his movement prevented him from reaching Islamabad airport in time, causing him to miss a flight to Skardu, where he was scheduled to take part in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) election campaign.
When asked whether the former ruling party was mulling en masse resignations from the legislature as well as dissolving the PTI-dominated KP Assembly, Qaiser said: “There are various ways of leaving the system, but no final decision has been made so far. However, we are seriously considering that we will not be left with any option [but to exit the system] if the system continues to function in the same manner.”
Speaking on the same programme, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said a “high alert” is in place in the twin cities owing to the presence of Australia’s cricket team in Rawalpindi.
Rejecting PTI’s claims of being denied a level playing field, the state minister said the government did not want any questions raised about the electoral process in GB.