Renowned revolution was seen fleeing Islamabad yesterday: Azma Bokhari

Punjab Information Minister slams PTI leaders for abandoning supporters during protest

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Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has taregetted the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that the party's so-called "revolution" on the streets of Islamabad quickly fizzled out.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said that despite five calls being made to Islamabad during the current unrest, the only response came from a few government employees in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and the rest of the calls were ignored, Express News reported.

She claimed that the media had shown the truth and not fallen for propaganda, while "as soon as the lights went out, the revolution ran away."

Bokhari characterised the protests as a failed attempt to replicate the events of May 9, noting that the state had responded effectively to the situation.

She also criticised the "coffin-wearing procession," stating that as soon as protesters saw "the angel of death," they fled.

She further claimed that PTI leadership had failed to show up, with some leaders taking selfies and others seeking "premade arrests," which she said led to the "drop scene" of the protest.

The Information Minister also mentioned the casualties in Islamabad, where two civilians were killed and 20 others were injured.

She said that an investigation would be conducted to determine whose weapons were involved, as the police had been unarmed during the protests.

Bokhari also took aim at PTI founding chairman Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi, hilghting thatshe had fled despite promising the people she would not leave without Imran Khan. "Bushra Bibi ran away yesterday," she said, while adding that some PTI leaders had faced physical confrontations, including Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who was reportedly attacked with sticks and verbally abused.

The minister criticized Bushra Bibi's influence on PTI, stating that her "lack of education and inexperience had ruined Imran Khan's political career." She added that "you can't become a political figure by relying on amulets and superstitions." She also pointed out that Bushra Bibi and another senior PTI leader, Ghulam Sarwar, were eating burgers while protesters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were using blankets provided by the provincial disaster management authority.

Bokhari further commented on the party's internal struggles, saying that PTI supporters were questioning Bushra Bibi's actions and why she failed to lead the protesters. She also took a swipe at PTI leadership, saying that the party's popularity had waned in Punjab and that some senior figures were "nowhere to be seen." She noted that despite their promises to rally thousands of people, the PTI leadership had failed to stand by their supporters during the protest.

Turning to the wider political situation, Bukhari stated that if PTI called for another protest, they would face severe consequences. "They should not issue another call for protests, as they have no support left in their own province," she added. Regarding recent arrests, she clarified that only 80 people had been detained across Punjab, including Lahore, and that many of the arrests were not significant.

Bokhari also stressed that the provincial government had consistently called for dialogue but asserted that "their very foundation is based on disorder" and that there would be no negotiations with "terrorists." Referring to the PTI’s demands for the release of their leader, she said that they were simply seeking "privileges" under the guise of political rhetoric.

Lastly, she addressed concerns over food prices, stating that although roadblocks had caused some price increases, there was no shortage of essential goods. She assured the public that prices of vegetables and other items would stabilize by the evening.