Introduction
Leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have strongly condemned the government’s proposal to ban their party. During a press conference held in Islamabad, key PTI figures, including Omar Ayub, Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, and Shibli Faraz, spoke out against the government’s plan. They accused the government of trying to divert attention from important issues and attempting to undermine democracy.
Main Points from the Press Conference
Condemnation of the Government’s Proposal
- Omar Ayub’s Statement: Omar Ayub criticized the government’s announcement, stating it is a clear attempt to sideline PTI. He emphasized that the Supreme Court has upheld PTI’s right to exist, making any such move contemptuous.
- Gohar Ali Khan’s Remarks: PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan pointed out that the government’s statement is a tactic to divert attention from PTI’s success in securing reserved seats. He highlighted that PTI garnered 30 million out of 60 million votes, reflecting significant public support.
Allegations Against the Government
- Diversion Tactics: Khan accused the government of trying to distract the public by raising issues like the foreign funding and cipher cases, even though the foreign funding case is no longer active.
- Electricity Rates and Inflation: Omar Ayub criticized the government’s decision to raise electricity rates, predicting it would lead to increased inflation. He suggested that these moves are designed to distract from real issues.
- Control Over Judiciary: Ayub also accused the government of attempting to control the judiciary and highlighted the government’s protests against the Supreme Court’s decisions as evidence.
Deprivation of Voting Rights
Overseas Pakistanis: Ayub claimed that the government deprived overseas Pakistanis of their voting rights during the first phase of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). This action, he argued, undermines democratic principles.
Criticism of Privatization Plans
- Privatization Targets: Ayub criticized the government’s privatization targets, arguing that assets worth a trillion rupees are being sold for just Rs30 billion, questioning where the remaining Rs970 billion would go.
Wheat Procurement Issues
Low Purchase Prices: Ayub highlighted issues with the government’s wheat procurement strategy, accusing them of buying wheat at low prices and planning to sell it at higher rates. He called for transparency and support for democratic processes.
Remarks by Shibli Faraz
- Puppet Government: Shibli Faraz referred to the current administration as a “puppet government” and dismissed their claims as unrealistic. He stressed that banning PTI is not a simple task and criticized the government’s approach.
Conclusion
The PTI leaders firmly opposed the government’s proposal to ban their party, describing it as an undemocratic move aimed at distracting the public from pressing issues. They called for transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic principles, urging other political parties to clearly state their stance on this matter.
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