Asad Qaiser says seeking joint opposition movement with Fazlur Rehman

PTI leader criticises treatment of Pashtuns in Punjab and Islamabad, calling it a "conspiracy against the country"

Asad Qaiser, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former speaker of the National Assembly, announced that he is in contact with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and expressed the desire for a joint opposition movement against the current government.

Speaking to the media in Peshawar alongside other PTI members on Tuesday, he said, "We are in contact with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and we want to launch a joint movement against this government."

He also criticised the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) for its role in the November 26 incidents, stating, "PPP is equally responsible for the events of 26 November."

When asked about negotiations, Qaiser noted that the government had yet to reach out to PTI. He added, "We will discuss our demands when the government contacts us, and we will see what their response is."

Qaiser raised concerns over the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, asserting that the government was focusing its efforts on PTI rather than addressing real issues of peace and order.

"The government is targeting PTI while there are serious security issues in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa," he said. "We are working within the bounds of the constitution and law, but the government is declaring political workers as terrorists."

He further condemned the government's treatment of political figures, stating, "We condemn the government's actions of declaring political leaders as terrorists instead of focusing on actual criminals."

Regarding PTI’s planned event to honour martyrs, Qaiser confirmed that the ceremony, initially scheduled for December 13, would now be held on December 15 at Bagh Naran.

He said, "The government opened fire on peaceful citizens, stole our mandate, and unlawfully passed the 26th Amendment. This is not a democratic government, and we demand the release of political prisoners."

Qaiser also criticised the treatment of Pashtuns in Punjab and Islamabad, calling it a "conspiracy against the country." He said, "The business ties with Afghanistan have been severed, and this is an injustice."

He reiterated his intention to continue talks with the JUI-F chief and work together for a unified opposition. "We have spoken with Maulana, and we will move forward with a united opposition," he said.