PTI Leaders Confident About Post-Eid Opposition Movement

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PTI Leaders Confident About Post-Eid Opposition Movement

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders appear confident about the expected opposition movement after Eid, with former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser stating that negotiations with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will commence upon his return from abroad.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, after being denied a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, Asad Qaiser said, “Talks between JUI-F and PTI are ongoing, and a national agenda will soon be announced. Maulana Fazlur Rehman is currently abroad, and once he returns, we will announce the negotiations on a one-point agenda.”

A week ago, PTI organized a conference of opposition parties in Islamabad and accused the government of attempting to create unrest. Before October last year, PTI had tried to win over Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but no agreement was reached. As a result, the party had to rely on its own strength to launch an anti-government movement.

Now, PTI has intensified its efforts to bring JUI-F on board for a multi-party alliance against the government.

Speaking alongside journalists, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar emphasized that his party is not against state institutions. He stressed that a strong institution (referring to the military) is essential for Pakistan’s stability.

“If an institution does not have public support, it weakens. In case of another (counter-terrorism) operation, people will not stand with the institution,” he remarked.

Junaid Akbar added, “We may have complaints against individuals, but we support institutions. A strong institution makes the country stronger.”

Addressing the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said that the public would not support another military operation. He also claimed that certain elements, responsible for bringing the current government to power, were pushing the narrative that one institution is above all others.

“The anger against the institution is growing. I want to say that you cannot succeed in your agenda. You could not eliminate Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was a leader of one generation. How will you eliminate Imran Khan, who is the leader of three generations?” he questioned.

Junaid Akbar further highlighted the worsening situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that residents of the province living in Islamabad were being targeted and falsely implicated in FIRs.

When asked about backdoor dialogue with the establishment, PTI leaders acknowledged that indirect and direct contacts exist with the powerful institution. However, they stated that there was nothing shameful about it.

“I am not ashamed of meeting and talking to our institutions so they understand that the gap between the public and the institution is widening. They need to review their policies,” said Junaid Akbar, emphasizing that state institutions should operate within legal boundaries.

Asad Qaiser claimed that the security situation in the former FATA region was deteriorating due to the Afghan policy. He suggested that parliament should hold a debate on Afghanistan’s policy, stating that people living along the border have economic ties with Afghanistan and Iran, and they cannot control or resolve the country’s issues alone.

“There should be new elections so that a government with the people’s mandate comes into power,” he asserted.

He also criticized the government’s approach toward foreign policy, particularly its stance on the United States. “The government became excited over a mere ‘thank you’ from the US. They claim to have secured US approval without considering the country’s sovereignty. I want to say that Pakistan’s sovereignty should never be compromised,” he concluded.

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