Minister berates PTI as 'fascists'

LAHORE:

Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari lambasted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for attempting to hold a rally in Rawalpindi despite the imposition of a ban, branding the party as fascist and anarchist.

The minister's remarks came in line with the government's ongoing strategy of issuing media statements on days when PTI stages political events.

The provincial government, having previously warned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur through media of severe repercussions if he entered Punjab with his supporters, didn't pull any punches.

Not only were six companies of Rangers and a large contingent of police deployed but major roads arteries Rawalpindi and Islamabad were blocked with containers, making life for the twin cities' residents miserable.

Unfazed by the government's heavy-handed response, PTI pushed forward with its plans. Though the rally fell short of expectations, the party managed to keep the public's eyes glued to the situation.

Despite the futility of its attempts, the government appeared to be patting itself on the back, treating its use of force as a victory and PTI's failure to rally as a defeat—seemingly blind to the fact that these measures might backfire.

Flanked by Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, Bukhari declared at a press conference that CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif had issued firm orders that no "hooliganism" disguised as political rallies would be tolerated.

Bukhari alleged that CM Gandapur was not only accompanied by K-P government officials but also brought along a private militia armed to the teeth, bent on sowing anarchy in Punjab.

She further alleged that the PTI has played politics on dead bodies before, "and they're desperate to do it again". "But the Punjab government will not allow the people of Pakistan to be used as cannon fodder."

In an attempt to dispel the impression that Gandapur had been barred from entering Punjab, Bukhari argued If the provincial government wanted to stop him, he would not have crossed the Attock Bridge.

She poured scorn on PTI's claims of peaceful intent. "They repeatedly claim to be peaceful, but everyone has seen their peace."

Pointing out that Gandapur had arrived in the province with an AK-47 in hand, she asked, "Does any political party come to hold rallies with weapons?"

She warned that if PTI members raised arms, they would be dealt with like terrorists. Mocking PTI's rally plans, Bukhari quipped that they should "cut Imran Khan's birthday cake outside Adiala Jail instead of at Minar-e-Pakistan."

In the face of viral social media images showing alleged police brutality, Bukhari brushed off the criticism, accusing PTI of hiding behind "the veil of democracy and human rights" while mobilising a militia in a province that did not even give the party a mandate.

Her remarks underscored the government's firm stance that PTI would not be allowed to gain a foothold in Punjab through street power.