PTI Vice Chairman Criticizes Government's Suppression Tactics

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has condemned the Pakistani government's alleged suppression of the PTI. He emphasized the importance of recognizing Imran Khan's political role for achieving national stability. Qureshi also addressed various issues, including legal cases against him and the necessity of dialogue for resolving Balochistan conflicts.

In a pointed critique, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday accused the incumbent Pakistani government of employing tactics to suppress the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. During an informal conversation with journalists at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail, Qureshi underscored the necessity of recognizing PTI founder Imran Khan's political influence to achieve national stability.

Qureshi highlighted the numerous legal cases filed against him following the May 9 riots, stating that he had been politics for 40 years without any charges until the past year. According to Geo News, the PTI is facing a governmental crackdown over its alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, during which military installations were vandalized.

The former foreign minister also defended Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, arguing that he was unfairly labeled as anti-Pakistan. Qureshi urged stakeholders to address Balochistan's issues through dialogue rather than branding dissenters as traitors. Furthermore, he defended the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai's nomination as the opposition mediator.

Responding to inquiries about the May 9 events, Qureshi denied that PTI workers were involved in the violence and criticized their wrongful labelling as terrorists. PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan also spoke out, emphasizing the party's call for an independent Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and suggesting that the government is trying to create rifts between the nation and the army.

Ayub reiterated PTI founder Imran Khan's stance on not accepting any interim setup led by the current government, emphasizing that the ruling PML-N and PPP have only two months left in power, predicting a fresh election within the year.

(With inputs from agencies.)