According to a statement released on Friday, the central information secretary insisted that the PTI was not posing a threat to anyone and was purely exercising its constitutional right to a peaceful protest.
She added that the party had made a concerted effort to establish strong relations with the Communist Party of China. A party delegation had also accompanied PTI chief Imran Khan on a visit to China shortly after his jalsa in Lahore on October 30, 2012.
Another delegation had also been invited as guests of the Communist Party to acquire useful insights about party organisation.
There have also been regular contacts between the party leadership and visiting Chinese leaders, she said.
Shireen Mazari claimed it was highly unlikely that PTI’s protest could pose a threat to any Chinese leaders as even the ruling party is not threatened by the Azadi march.
She said that the protesters are unarmed and engaged in peaceful protests. She added that the ruling party was not being able to tackle the ongoing political crisis and had steadily losing its legitimacy.
“The economy has not been weakened by the Azadi march,” she said, “On the contrary, the government’s questionable expenditures on ill-conceived projects and the high level of corruption and inflation has caused a downward spiral,” she said.
“This is a sad reflection on the incompetence of a government which doesn’t have its priorities straight. It has yet to appoint a foreign minister,” Mazari said.
She added the government has failed to adopt a pro-active foreign policy that accounts for long-term national interests. As a result, it is not surprising that it has failed to ensure the visit of the Chinese president.
The central information secretary lamented that the PML-N government has significantly compromised on state priority issues in the interests of its business and personal interests.
Meanwhile, the PTI’s vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi met the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan on Friday to assure him that the PTI’s protests would not obstruct the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2014.
COMMENTS (5)
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If I saw Shireen Mazari welcoming me to a meeting I'd probably be looking for a way out too.
PTI should also expose Chinese anti-competitive behavior. We need anti-dumping law similar to USA so that local industries can compete against Chinese bullying. Chinese are dumping products below manufacturing cost to destroy Pakistn indigenous businesses. So that later they can charge whatever they can. Ms Mazari, just take a look at Safe City program. What Pakistan had to do - Neelum Jhelum loan, yes LOAN, was given on the condition that Pakistan give sole rights and contract of Safe City project to China. In fact China strong armed Nawaz to give the contract on Nawaz last visit to China. This $150 million Safe City for Islamabad should not be more than $42 Million under worst circumstances.
Ms Mazari. It is disturbing that you and your party do not own up to the consequences, good and bad, of your actions. You should not insult the intelligence of the public who can see a blatant attempt at power grabbing without any heed to the fall out the nation is obliged to bear.
What a comical statement from PTI. PTI and PAT have caused harm to the economy of the country. The postponement of the trip is a major setback for Pakistan.
Yes Ms. Mazari.The Chinese premier did not cancel due to boorish behavior by PTI. It was probably because some umpire raised his finger.
I believe you and the masses are with you. We are sorry only a few thousand are available to support you in person. But IK and TUQ are bhai bhai and PTI will lend its support. Shaikh Rasheed and the script writers will help. PTI zinda-baad.