In notices released by PTI’s central secretariat on Tuesday, the party stated that all its National Assembly and Senate members had been directed to remain in a secure, designated location and avoid contact with anyone representing the government regarding the proposed constitutional changes. The notices were issued two days after the ruling coalition government passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment, a process that started Sunday evening and concluded Monday morning (October 21).
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Despite PTI’s opposition to the amendment, which was advanced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration, the government garnered 225 votes, surpassing the required 224. This included support from a few independent MNAs, including some PTI members.
Several independent MNAs, including Zahoor Qureshi, Aurangzeb Khichi, Usman Ali, and Mubarak Zeb, voted in favor of the amendment, along with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q)’s Chaudhry Ilyas.
PTI’s show-cause notice detailed that Zain Qureshi had been unreachable since October 16, with a video of him surfacing on October 21, after the reforms had been passed. PTI Opposition Leader Omar Ayub also alleged that Zain’s wife had been arrested from her home, Miqdad Ali had disappeared while en route to Islamabad, and Fatyana’s son had been “disappeared” twice. Ghuman was also out of contact with the party before and during the voting process.
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The notices emphasized that all PTI lawmakers had been instructed to remain at the designated location and avoid government communication to prevent harassment and ensure coordination with party leadership.
The notices accused the four members of leaving their designated locations and avoiding contact with the party or its authorized representatives in the days leading up to the vote, in violation of party instructions. PTI claimed to have credible evidence suggesting the lawmakers were prepared to defect if their votes were needed.
The lawmakers have been given seven days to respond, explaining why they should not be considered defectors or expelled from the party for violating instructions. If they fail to respond, PTI warned it would assume they had no defense and proceed with their expulsion without further notice.
