PML-N leader Saad Rafique accuses PTI of weakening parliament

Former federal minister says party should first look at its own tainted record before preaching others

Senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Khawaja Saad Rafique, has criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging that its lust for power has undermined parliament, once again empowering the military and judicial establishment over democracy and the state.

Taking to 'X' (formerly Twitter), Rafique asserted that PTI should first look at its own tainted record before preaching about conscience, principles, constitution, law, humanity, culture, dignity, and democracy.  He accused PTI of overlooking its stained past and employing shameless and callous rhetoric against its opponents.

Rafique pointed out that PTI's misconduct extended to shamelessly using state institutions against its adversaries. He blamed party founder Imran Khan and company, including generals, judges, journalists, and supporters, for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to steal the nation's mandate in the 2018 general elections.

Highlighting PTI's alleged wrongdoings, Rafique criticised the party for engaging in prohibited foreign funding, misusing state resources, making false promises, exploiting religion for political gain, repeatedly jeopardising national security, economic downturn, accumulating debts, and fabricating characters in every confrontation.

Rafique emphasised that PTI's actions have damaged democracy, justice, the state, the economy, and politics. He warned that while PTI may destroy whatever it desires, they cannot escape accountability. He claimed that PTI's weakened democracy has become a poisonous fruit they must swallow, while the nation bears the consequences.

Former federal minister stated that while everyone acknowledges their own mistakes, and they will continue to do so in the future, they will not deliver speeches to crush opponents for the benefit of the state, democracy, or PML-N. 

Rafique asserted that mutual respect and reasoned disagreement should guide both sides forward. He stated that extremist views can never be curtailed, but they must strive to remain above it all, stressing that all forms of violence and coercion are unacceptable, no matter who commits them.