Sialkot, Pakistan— Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticized PTI’s political strategy and protest campaign during a press conference in Sialkot on Friday. He stated that PTI had been playing the game of negotiations, but now 99% of their demands have been accepted, yet they continue to protest.
Khawaja Asif said that if peaceful protests are held, they have no objection, but every PTI procession and protest turns violent. He raised the question of why the protests seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are not visible in Punjab, Sindh, or Balochistan. He also questioned why PTI’s leadership is not active in the other three provinces.
Khawaja Asif criticized PTI’s leadership, recalling that there was once a claim that when Trump would visit, PTI’s founder would be released, but Trump came and nothing happened. He accused PTI of giving false hopes to its workers.
The minister also referenced past political figures, stating that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, and Nawaz Sharif were also removed from power, but they never destabilized the country.
Defending the government’s performance, Khawaja Asif highlighted that interest rates and inflation have decreased over the past year, and electricity prices will be further reduced. He emphasized that the kind of enthusiasm seen at Islamabad’s Gaddafi Stadium should also be witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
His remarks indicate that the government is attempting to politically weaken PTI’s protest campaign, while PTI remains determined to increase pressure to achieve its demands.
