LAHORE:
The PML-N and the PPP condemned while the JUI-F expressed its dismay over the PTI’s decision not to attend an in-camera parliamentary committee meeting on national security.
The PTI decided to boycott the parliamentary meeting after the party leaders were denied permission to hold a meeting with Imran Khan, who has been detained at the Adiala Jail since September 2023.
Responding to the move, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif took to X, stating that the PTI had proven that Imran Khan was their first and last priority and not the country’s security and peace.
“‘Khan or no Pakistan’ is their motto. The country is burning in the fire of terrorism, and the PTI is playing politics of self-interest. What could be more treasonous?” he asked.
It was reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also expressed his dismay over the PTI’s decision to boycott the meeting.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticized Imran Khan over the PTI decision to boycott the meeting saying as the prime minister, Imran had never attended any parliamentary security meetings, whether it was about terrorism, Kashmir, or Indian aggression.
“Today, he’s not even a member of parliament, and this was a meeting of the national security of the parliament. However, the PTI was now insisting that Imran should attend the meeting.”
Bilawal emphasized that during wartime, politics should be set aside, and the country should be given top priority, which is the demand of every Pakistani’s patriotism.
While over in Punjab, Information Minister Azma Bukhari told a press conference that the PTI cannot see beyond the tip of their noses, keeping their political interest ahead of the country’s interests.
She said the PTI has a history of boycotting important meetings even when they were in power, be it a meeting during Covid or the one on the Feb 27 incident. She said the PTI followed the agenda of polarization and has always extended support to anti-state forces.
She said during the days when the PTI was in power, Imran resettled Talibaneven those who were convictedafter granting them a presidential pardon. “The same terrorist then came to his aide with petrol bombs and at Zaman Park while he was trying to evade his arrest,” she alleged.
She condemned the PTI for criticizing security forces at a time when terrorism was on a rise in the country. She said all political parties were on the same page over national security other than the PTI for which Imran Khan is over and above Pakistan and its interests.
She said despite having evidence of banned outfits like the BLA receiving support from India and being operated from Afghanistan, the chief minister of K-P talks against sending Afghans back.
PPP General Secretary for Central Punjab Syed Hassan Murtaza also described the non-participation of PTI’s in the parliaments’ National Security Committee as regrettable and said the PTI had sabotaged the unanimous stand of the parliament against terrorism.
“This act of theirs is tantamount to sympathizing with the Taliban, Khawarij and terrorists.”
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, whose party sits on opposition benches with the PTI, also expressed his dismay over the PTI decision to skip the meeting.
