PTI's Jaishankar gaffe sparks outcry

A political controversy brewed on Saturday as a statement from a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader regarding an invitation to Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for the party's protest set tongues wagging across the political landscape.

While the government officials wasted no time in slamming the move as "the ultimate treason," the PTI quickly moved to clarify that the statement had been "misconstrued".

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan clarified that statements made by Muhammad Ali Saif were taken out of context. "S Jaishankar has no link to PTI's struggle," he added in a statement following the backlash from various ministers.

During an appearance on a private news channel on Friday, the K-P government adviser had expressed that the PTI is open to welcoming all delegates and guests attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit later this month.

"Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar is welcome to come. We invite him to join our protest and strengthen the Constitution and Pakistan as a robust state. If Pakistan is strong and stands on its own feet, perhaps our relations with India will also improve, and peace will prevail in the region," Saif stated.

In his defence, Gohar clarified that PTI's policy regarding India has remained consistent throughout its "27 years of struggle."

He added that the long-standing 70-year policy of the state of Pakistan towards India forms the foundation of PTI's stance, asserting that "the political struggle of PTI is

free from any interference from foreign nations, including India".

He further asserted that no foreign official, including Jaishankar, has the authority to comment on Pakistan's internal matters.

Gohar affirmed that peaceful protests are a constitutional right of the Pakistani people.

On the other hand, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari condemned the invitation as "the ultimate level of treason."

She quipped, "Let's see when the supporters of Israel will be invited to protest," in response to Saif's comments.

Bukhari lambasted the PTI for lacking any sense of national dignity, integrity, or sovereignty, claiming, "The DNA of PTI carries anti-Pakistan elements. Their mission is to weaken the roots of the country."

She also raised eyebrows over the involvement of Afghan citizens in the protests associated with the "Fitna Party," stating, "The arrest of Afghan citizens involved in the protests has exposed their motives."

"The arrest of Afghan citizens involved in the protests has exposed their motives," she stated.

Furthermore, Bukhari claimed that the "prisoner of Adiala Jail has vowed never to let peace and prosperity thrive in Pakistan. For this fitna, Israeli, Afghan, and Indian lobbies are pushing hard. The wise and intelligent people of Punjab have rejected the narrative of the prisoner of Adiala Jail."

Meanwhile, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui has termed the announcement of the Indian external affairs minister's participation in the SCO summit as a positive development for the bilateral relations between Pakistan and India.

In a statement posted on his social media account on platform 'X' on Saturday, the senior PML-N leader said the presence of the Indian foreign minister at the summit holds promise for easing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

However, Senator Siddiqui expressed concerns regarding the PTI's approach toward this diplomatic event.

He criticised PTI for extending an invitation to only the Indian foreign minister, among all SCO leaders, to participate in its protest demonstrations.