LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:
With the embattled opposition party in the crosshairs of intense state scrutiny, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said his party supports everyone’s right to participate in politics, but cautioned that those who speak against the state or its institutions do not have the right to engage in politics.
Speaking at a dinner he hosted for party leaders and office-bearers at the Governor House, Bilawal questioned the delay in holding local government elections in Punjab, noting that other provinces had already conducted their local body polls.
“The PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] has no future,” Bilawal told the gathering. “As a party, the PPP supports the right of everyone to participate in politics; however, those who speak against the state or institutions do not have the right to engage in politics,” he added.
Separately, the ruling party continued to go on the offensive against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday, warning that no one would be allowed to stoke the fires of chaos or hurl abuse at state institutions.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry turned up the heat and appeared to be even pulling back from early signs of government overtures for reconciliation.
He said that anyone who saw themselves as indispensable to the country was “mentally ill” and made it clear that invitations for dialogue would no longer be on the table.
The minister alleged that the jailed PTI supremo Imran Khan was trying to blackmail his way back to power.
Referring to the PTI’s Peshawar rally held a day earlier, he said the gathering was nothing beyond abuse and fuss, adding that the public had witnessed the “real face” of the party.
Talal alleged that allegations were made against institutions during the rally and that criticism against state institutions was also being posted daily from the incarcerated PTI founder’s X handle. “How long can anyone remain silent?” he asked.
‘Anti-state’
Meanwhile, in Lahore, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the press conference by the Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) was “extraordinary” and that whenever such a briefing was held it was linked to national security.
She said the DG ISPR had presented facts and evidence.
Echoing Talal, she said the speech of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi at the rally was “anti-state”.
Recalling Imran’s sit-ins in the past, she reminded that Pakistan Television and Parliament were attacked and police officials were injured. However, she noted that the current situation was more serious and directly linked to Pakistan’s defence and national security.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, it also sets limits, and when someone acts against the country’s security and defence, it cannot be called free speech.
She said even if one were to temporarily accept the claim that anti-Pakistan social media accounts did not belong to PTI, the same statements were being aired by Indian, Afghan and Israeli media, raising serious questions.
She said on May 9, PTI had used its workers and military installations were attacked, adding that such punishments are prescribed for violating freedom of expression.
She further claimed that May 9 was orchestrated to hide corruption and incompetence.
