Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh today labeled April 9 a ‘black day’ in Pakistan’s democratic chronicles, asserting that the events of April 9, 2022, were pivotal in the ousting of an elected government under an alleged foreign conspiracy, thrusting the nation into political disarray.

In a message, Haleem declared that the regime change eroded the Constitution, judiciary, and media, veering Pakistan away from democratic norms toward authoritarianism. He emphasized, “On this day, national development, sovereignty, and the public mandate were bartered away. The supremacy of law and the Constitution was trampled, and the country was pushed into the shadows of fascism.”

He accused that the 26th Constitutional Amendment debilitated the judiciary, while changes to the PECA law were employed to stifle press freedom and restrict free expression. “There was a deliberate attempt to silence journalism and impose media restrictions,” he asserted.

Haleem contended that April 9, 2022, marked the day when “thieves” were granted control of the nation, and a campaign was initiated to sideline PTI – the country’s largest political party. He argued that the regime change triggered political and economic instability, with a deliberate strategy enacted to sow chaos and confusion.

The PTI Sindh chief further said that undemocratic choices over the past three years had weakened the state and eroded public trust in the justice system. “Public decisions were trampled, and the people’s mandate in the general elections was stolen,” he commented.

Haleem also denounced the imprisonment of former Prime Minister and founding Chairman PTI Imran Khan, describing it as an ‘assault on democracy.’ He portrayed Khan as a respected leader not only in Pakistan but across the Muslim world, who has been ‘falsely implicated in baseless cases’ to distance him from the public.

“Since the regime change, fascism has flourished in Pakistan. Basic human rights have been suspended, and decisions have been made contrary to the will of the people,” he stated.

He concluded by mentioning that April 9 is being observed as a Black Day nationwide, to mark the ‘unjust dismissal of a growing, independent government through a calculated conspiracy.’