- Criticises ‘apolitical’ woman encouraging PTI to launch attack on federation
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Tuesday said that PTI’s call for a protest on November 24 was merely aim at collecting funds, saying that in Punjab, it would be a significant event if even their prominent MNAs and MPAs came out, let alone the public.
She added that even if Ghandapur manages to reach Islamabad this time, he will have to cross 24 districts to return to Peshawar. We all know why Ali Amin Ghandapur went to Adiala Jail, whom he received messages from, and whom he was instructed to follow.
Addressing a presser at DGPR here in Lahore on Tuesday, Azma Bokhari remarked that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was faced with not only financial problems but security issues. “In this troubling situation, the KP’s Chief Minister is chanting slogans of Jihad, using all state resources to declare war”, she criticised, emphasizing the resources, which should be spent on the public, were instead being used to benefit Bushra Bibi.
The Punjab Information Minister took a jibe at Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, for calling the shots in the “do-or-die protest” slated for November 24.
She was referring to a leaked audio recording purportedly featuring the former first lady addressing party members in Peshawar.
“The apolitical woman delivers political speeches and clearly gives target to her party’s leaders and lawmakers,” Azma Bokhari lambasted, claiming the former premier’s wife instructed each PTI MNA and MPA to bring at least 10,000 and 5,000 workers respectively to Islamabad for the protest.
“The apolitical woman was not apolitical even when she was being called apolitical.”
Azma Bokhari regretted that Punjab’s MPAs were not even allowed to speak in a session of PTI. “Anyone who tried to speak is removed from the room”, she claimed, adding that these people criticize Maryam Nawaz, claiming she is a junior politician, but Maryam entered politics through a political struggle, while Bushra Bibi entered through amulets and spiritual guides.
Responding to a question, the Punjab minister said that the PTI’s march on Islamabad aimed at creating anarchy in the country.
Referring to expected clashes between the law enforcers and the PTI’s supporters, she said that it seems the former ruling party wanted to do politics on “dead bodies”.
Purported Audio Leak
It is to be noted that an audio purportedly of the former first lady was leaked in social media, in which “her can purportedly be heard” conveying the PTI founder’s message and directives to party workers in connection with the November 24 protest.
In the audio recorded during the meeting, the former first lady is heard underscoring the importance of bringing the general public to the protests, not just the party workers. She also asked the party’s legislators to document the event by making videos of vehicles and participants taking part in the protest.
Imran’s spouse also stressed the need for alternative arrangements of communication, keeping in view the potential disruptions, such as internet shutdowns during the upcoming protest movement, which the party termed a “do-or-die” step to get the incarcerated party founder released from Adiala Jail.
“The social media activists and YouTubers should share videos of the caravans in real-time,” she reportedly said.
“If a worker is injured, the local MNAs and MPAs will take care of them. No one should get arrested, nor allow others to be detained,” she is heard saying, urging the party’s lawmakers to avoid being arrested and also prevent workers from being detained.
According to the audio, those who fail to send this video to the party will not be given a party ticket in the future.
SECTION 144 in ISLAMABAD
The Islamabad administration has already imposed Section 144 for two months ahead of the potential PTI’s protest in the federal capital. In addition to this, the Islamabad Police have sought the services of 9,000 personnel of Rangers and FC with full anti-riot kits since November 22.
Deployment of 5,000 additional personnel of the Pakistan Rangers and 4,000 of the FC has been sought by the Islamabad Police IG through a letter.
Imran last week gave a “final call” for a nationwide protest against the alleged rigging in the February 8 elections, arrests of party workers, and the passage of the 26th Amendment. He called on his supporters to march to the federal capital on the upcoming Sunday.
