PTI urges govt to ‘promptly realign priorities’

Party expresses concern over mounting political unrest, surge in terrorist activities, and heightened border tensions

LAHORE:

In the face of mounting political unrest, a surge in terrorist activities, and heightened border tensions, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has voiced concerns about the national security and urged the state and the government to “promptly realign their priorities” and adopt a resolute stance on safeguarding the country's national security.

 On Thursday, a spokesperson for PTI paid heartfelt tribute to the valiant soldiers who courageously thwarted a terrorist incursion along the Pak-Afghan border.

“These brave young individuals, who made the ultimate sacrifice in thwarting the nefarious intentions of terrorists, stand as heroes of the nation,” the spokesperson said, adding "we honour our martyrs and extend our deepest sympathies and solidarity to their bereaved families".

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He underscored that the national security ranked as the most delicate and pressing concern at present, noting that the looming threats hovering over the nation were indeed disconcerting.

Over the past 17 months, the escalating presence of terrorists, particularly in the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has become a matter of profound concern for both the state and government, the spokesperson said. “The mounting tension along the Pak-Afghan border and the armed incursions are causes of serious concern for Pakistan.”

He pointed out that the nation, along with law enforcement agencies and the armed forces, made monumental sacrifices in the protracted battle against terrorism. “The resurgence of this menace in regions that have been stabilised through immense sacrifices, both in terms of lives and finances, poses a formidable challenge to the state.”

The spokesperson stressed that due to severe economic downturn, internal restlessness, and mounting anxieties stretching from Kashmir to Gilgit and from Karachi to Gwadar, the challenges to national security were growing intensely.

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He stated that the flagrant departure from constitutional norms, violation of human rights, and the reluctance to steer the nation's politics away from coercion and lawlessness were the primary drivers behind the disruptive chaos diverting the state's attention and resources.

He further underscored issues such as economic recovery, border defence, and national security necessitate an extraordinary allocation of state resources and energies, comprehensive institutional collaboration, and meticulous attention. “The gravity of the situation must be acknowledged, and a new approach must be adopted by both the state and government,” he asserted.

The spokesperson maintained that “instead of sowing seeds of discord and division within the nation through unconstitutional actions and vindictive tactics,” the state should strive to unite the nation as a politically cohesive entity.

A government with a public mandate can effectively address the nation's complex challenges, the PTI stated, adding that upholding the supremacy of the Constitution, adherence to the rule of law, and the restoration of the true spirit of democracy serve as the means to unify the nation.

Furthermore, PTI condemned the allocation of taxpayers' money to the media in an attempt to stifle its voice, labelling it as a disgraceful act by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rulers. The spokesperson decried the expenses incurred by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for advertisements, labelling them as shameful and embarrassing.

He highlighted that these expenditures illuminated how certain individuals misused advertisements as a vehicle for political bribery and deception to gain state patronage.

Incompetent leaders spent approximately Rs10 billion on misleading propaganda within just 16 months, the spokesperson said, adding that the he leaders of the PDM blatantly lied to the Supreme Court and withheld funds for elections, thereby denying the rights of 170 million voters in Punjab and Pakhtunkhwa.

“By imposing political, constitutional, and economic catastrophes on the nation, the media was silenced through advertisements. These Rs10 billion-worth advertisements found their way into the coffers of specific TV channels, newspapers, and journals, all under the guise of transparency and merit.”

The spokesperson alleged that with this Rs10 billion, the media was coerced into fuelling division within the nation, stoking the flames of hatred, undermining the judiciary, and supporting a reprehensible attack on the constitution and democracy.

“Disguised as advertisements, the media was subtly persuaded to remain silent on the erosion of civil liberties and curtailment of communication and expression.”

He argued that following the promotion of political bribery, the cynical attempts to normalise bribery culture within the media stood as a disgraceful example of mafia politics.

“The nation has rejected all forms of deception and criminal tactics with its political acumen,” the spokesperson said, concluding that “Tehreek-e-Insaf is committed to advancing the principles of freedom of expression and communication, along with the welfare of journalists, in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution”.