ISLAMABAD: The PTI has raised questions over the Federal Constitutional Court’s (FCC) decision to fix a petition filed by Member of the National Assembly Sher Afzal Marwat challenging the appointment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

In a statement issued on Saturday, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the manner in which the matter was taken up had given rise to concerns about judicial impartiality and the role of courts in politically sensitive matters.

He added that the petition appeared to carry little legal weight as former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur had voluntarily resigned and PTI founder Imran Khan had nominated Sohail Afridi for the office, after which the provincial assembly elected him through the prescribed constitutional procedure.

He questioned the urgency of fixing the petition for hearing at a time when the PTI was preparing for its Sept 27 protest march, saying the judiciary should exercise utmost caution in politically sensitive matters.

Party says petition carries little legal weight after Gandapur’s resignation, Afridi’s election

He stressed that cases lacking substantive constitutional or legal questions should not be taken up unnecessarily, as doing so could waste precious judicial time and potentially undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

‘Bail pleas’

Instead, he urged the judiciary to take up the bail applications of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, which have been pending for over 22 months in the Al-Qadir case and nine months in the Toshakhana case.

“The judiciary must remain within the constitutional and legal framework and should avoid becoming part of political controversies because courts have a vital responsibility to protect constitutional supremacy, uphold the rule of law and ensure equal justice for all citizens,” he said.

The PTI leader said the mandate of elected constitutional institutions should be respected in accordance with the law.

He expressed particular concern over Imran Khan’s health and called for immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive regarding his independent medical examination and treatment.

He said the issue was of paramount importance because of rising concerns about the PTI founder’s health and the need for transparent and credible medical arrangements.

Waqas Akram urged the SC to ensure immediate implementation of its Aug 18 order directing that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for an independent medical examination and treatment in the presence of the PTI founder’s sister, Dr Uzma Khan, and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan.

He also called for appropriate action against those responsible for non-compliance with the court’s order, adding that continued uncertainty over his medical arrangements had caused concern among his supporters and the public.

He further said the PTI was working to bring opposition parties onto a common platform to discuss the country’s political, constitutional, security and economic challenges.

He said the party would continue consultations with opposition forces and was preparing for a multi-party conference to develop a joint strategy on major national issues.

The PTI was opposed to any hasty or unilateral attempt to create new administrative units and maintained that any such restructuring required meaningful consultation, constitutional procedures and involvement of the provincial assemblies, he added.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2026