PTI slams Maryam Nawaz's K-P remarks
PHOTO: FILE
The PTI has vehemently criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's recent remarks labelling Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) as a corridor of terrorists and smugglers.
Addressing a news conference in the federal capital, PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan and PTI Punjab Secretary Information Shaukat Mahmood Basra denounced Maryam's accusations against the K-P government and PTI, describing them as baseless and absurd.
Hasan asserted that the Al-Sharifains—the ruling Sharif family— have historically shown animosity towards the K-P, citing Nawaz's derogatory remarks about the people of the K-P.
He also recalled an instance where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed to Taliban militants to spare Punjab from terrorist activities, implying a disregard for other provinces’ security.
PTI's central information secretary also rebuked Maryam for alleging that the K-P was transporting lethal materials to Punjab, stating that such claims were unfounded.
He attributed the resurgence of terrorism in the country to the machinations of the PML-N government and its allies, the PPP and the MQM-P. He accused them of conspiring to destabilize the PTI’s government in the K-P and creating a political vacuum exploited by terrorists.
While highlighting the PTI's efforts to maintain a positive relationship with the central government, Hasan expressed disappointment at the failure of the centre to fulfil its obligations towards the K-P, including the release of funds.
Hasan also criticised those advocating for the imposition of a governor’s rule in the K-P, emphasising that such actions would be unconstitutional.
Shaukat Mahmood Basra condemned the economic policies of the PML-N, which he described as detrimental to farmers' livelihoods. He called for transparency regarding wheat procurement and support prices.
Basra highlighted PTI's commitment to improving farmers' economic conditions and vowed to resist any attempts by “mandate thieves” to harm the country's economy. The PTI leaders reiterated their determination to fight against electoral fraud and uphold the interests of farmers and the nation.
Separately, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan told reporters outside Adiala Jail after meeting with Imran Khan that an important development had taken place in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
“The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) witness himself told the court that the record of land purchase exists. After the payment of money, the land was given to Al-Qadir Trust,” he said in reference to a graft case lodged by NAB against Imran and his wife last year.
Gohar said Imran has expressed resolved to file a case against approvers in the case as well as the NAB chairman. He urged authorities to get a proper medical test conducted on Imran’s wife to ascertain the claim that she was being poisoned.
Internal rift
Internal disagreements among PTI leaders have intensified as former state minister Shehryar Afridi opened a new Pandora's box against party leaders, including K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Addressing party workers in Kohat, Afridi criticized other party leaders, including Gandapur, stating that he did not “give a damn” to the show cause-notices issued to him by “fake leaders”.
“I have been sitting silent till now but now I speak that there are snakes and hypocritical people within the PTI, and soon I will talk openly about this matter,” he said.
Sher Afzal Marwat, who was recently removed from the position of PTI’s focal person, agreed with Afridi while talking to journalists outside Adiala Jail on Saturday.
“Some people within the PTI are conspiring against me. I will, however, deal with those who pull me down on my own,” he said.