PML-N accuses PTI of sabotage

LAHORE:

The PML-N-led federal government has accused PTI of attempting to throw a wrench in the country's foreign relations and tarnish its international image by coordinating protests with high-profile foreign visits.

The Punjab government, led by Maryam Nawaz, known for its more hardline stance, not only lambasted PTI for its protest politics but also doubled down on accusations of PTI bringing in Afghans and armed groups to stir the pot in the capital.

From Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Federal Minister Ameer Muqam and Information Minister of Punjab Azma Bokhari, PML-N leaders took turns—some in press statements, others in a flurry of back-to-back press conferences—sharply criticising PTI for continuing to play the game of chaos.

A noticeable difference between the statements from the Centre and Punjab was the sharp tone of the latter, despite having less skin in the game.

Meanwhile, the public, for the most part, remained in the dark about the real situation as the media focus was squarely on the ministers' fiery responses to PTI.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar threw shade at PTI leaders for offering to surrender voluntarily in an attempt to avoid participating in the party's street movement.

Meanwhile, several ministers pointed out the internal rifts they claimed were further weakening an already fractured and bruised party.

PML-N leaders, particularly Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, acknowledged the woes caused by road blockages in Punjab, apologising for the inconvenience but largely blaming PTI for the disruptions.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Ishaq Dar slammed PTI's repeated calls for strikes, calling them a calculated conspiracy against the country's prestige.

He pointed out that PTI's protests had occurred at critical times when major global figures were visiting Pakistan—on 14th October during the Chinese Premier's visit, and on 15-16 October during the heads of government summit hosted by Pakistan.

Dar alleged that PTI's protests were disrupting Pakistan's relations with friendly nations, especially with the Belarusian president and his delegation expected in the country.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar mocked PTI leaders, stating that most of the party's leaders and workers were courting arrest to avoid participating in what he described as an "illegal and unnecessary" protest.

"One thing is pretty clear: PTI's leadership does not want the release of their leader from jail. We've received reports from Punjab and Islamabad indicating that many of their top and low-tier leaders are voluntarily surrendering to the police for arrest," he said while addressing the media during his visit to different areas of Islamabad.

He criticised PTI's sole demand to secure an NRO-like concession for the release of their leader, arguing that the matter should be dealt with in court, not by the government.

Similarly, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal asserted that PTI's actions sought to sabotage the nation's development.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, he said that only the courts had the authority to release the PTI founder Imran Khan. He recalled that during the PTI government, PML-N leaders had not sought governmental intervention for their release but trusted the judiciary.

Federal minister and PML-N provincial president Engineer Ameer Muqam predicted that PTI's November 24 "final protest call" at D-Chowk Islamabad would mark the "end of PTI's political saga".

He denounced the agitation as purposeless and damaging.

Muqam blasted the K-P's leadership, especially CM Ali Amin Gandapur, for misusing provincial resources and involving government employees in political demonstrations.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the fire in Parachinar has now spread to the streets, while CM Gandapur remains indifferent, focused solely on one goal – mobilising government employees to attack the federal government.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb thanked the people of Punjab and Lahore, declaring that the "franchise PTI" has crumbled, now rejected by the public.

"It would have been better if internal issues were handled privately. The people of Punjab stand with the progress of both Pakistan and the province," the minister claimed.