PTI won't be allowed to recreate May 9, Nov 26: Khawaja Asif
Pakistan
PTI is spending up to $4 million a month on lobbying efforts, blames defence minister
SIALAKOT (Dunya News) - Defence Minister Khawaja Asif asserted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not be permitted to orchestrate events like May 9 and Nov 26 again.
Speaking to the media, the minister accused the PTI of engaging in politics of protest and chaos. "Peaceful demonstrations are not an issue, but PTI’s rallies and protests invariably turn violent,” he remarked.
He further stated that dialogue with the PTI was never expected to yield results. “PTI was merely playing the negotiation game. There was no substantive connection between its talks with the establishment and reality. The party is simply deceiving its workers with false assurances.”
Referring to PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur’s recent remarks, Asif questioned the rationale behind continued protests. “Gandapur claims that 99pc of PTI’s demands have been met. If that is the case, then what exactly are they protesting for? Even on Nov 26, government employees were mobilised to participate in the demonstrations.”
The PML-N leader recalled that governments led by Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto had been removed multiple times in the past, yet they never resorted to targeting state institutions or damaging national monuments. “Instead of tarnishing Pakistan’s global reputation, the PTI should engage in politics through legitimate means,” he advised.
Commenting on international lobbying efforts, Asif remarked, “First, there was an outcry that Trump’s intervention would pave the way for their leader’s rescue. Trump did come to power, but nothing changed."
An American visitor to Pakistan, Asif said, recently disclosed that the PTI was spending up to $4 million a month on lobbying efforts.
