Khawaja Asif criticises PTI leaders for power-centric agenda

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif criticised the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday, asserting that their pursuit of power has overshadowed their commitment to the nation.

During a press conference at his residence in the Sialkot Cantonment area, he claimed that the loyalty of PTI and its leader, Imran Khan, lies solely in maintaining authority rather than serving Pakistan's interests. 

He pointed out that this pattern of behaviour from the PTI has persisted since 2014 when their protests delayed the visit of the Chinese President and the initiation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He expressed concern that PTI is now engaging in similar behavior with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit approaching, seeking to undermine Pakistan’s international standing.

Asif raised alarms regarding the involvement of armed groups, including hundreds of Afghans, in PTI’s protests. He accused the party of obstructing Pakistan’s development through their demonstrations, stating, “PTI’s protests have consistently aimed to hinder Pakistan’s progress.” He highlighted that some protesters were identified as potentially linked to a banned militant group.

The minister further criticised PTI for allegedly using public resources to conduct its protests, led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. He reminded the public of historical precedents, noting how PTI's past actions have delayed international visits and engagements. “Political tensions have always existed, but no party has compromised their identity as Pakistanis like the PTI has,” he stated.

Asif contrasted PTI’s actions with the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers, pointing out that while many have died defending the nation, the PTI has failed to honor these martyrs or address significant international issues such as the Palestinian cause. 

He suggested that PTI's current unrest stems from fears over improving economic indicators in Pakistan, asserting that the leadership is anxious about legal troubles and is trying to create chaos in response to the government's successes. He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for effectively presenting issues like Kashmir and Palestine on international platforms, a move he believes has unsettled the PTI.

The minister called for accountability regarding PTI's actions and emphasised the importance of exposing their alleged connections with foreign elements that do not align with Pakistan’s interests. 

In response to a question, he stated that PTI seeks to instigate chaos and violence. He commended the Punjab police for their resilience in handling the situation, asserting that the armed groups being brought in do not represent the values of Pakistan. 

When asked about the CM Gandapur, he remarked that he had crossed all limits, making it impossible to rule out any form of response. He accused PTI of exploiting the province and wasting resources in their assaults, labelling these actions as detrimental to the nation.