ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, stated that the path to freedom for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan lies solely through the judicial process and proving his innocence in court.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Iqbal emphasized, “We faced legal cases during the PTI government but never demanded release from the authorities. Everyone must follow due legal processes.”
Iqbal criticized Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, for avoiding court appearances after securing bail, questioning whether such actions were an attempt to destabilize Pakistan or secure an NRO-like deal. “No martial law exists in the country that would allow pardons by decree,” he added, warning that protests aimed at destabilizing the country were detrimental to national stability.
The minister accused the PTI’s founder of trying to “burn the country into the furnace of his ego and vengeance,” particularly in the context of recent unrest in Kurram and Parachinar. Iqbal criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister for focusing on Punjab and Islamabad instead of addressing local issues. He also commented on the PTI’s recent protest call to Islamabad, saying, “He wants to win the NRO from foreign forces.”
“PTI is not the party of change, but a social media drama lacking any sense of reality,” Iqbal remarked, adding that the party has been a manifestation of an individual’s ego and his lust for power. Meanwhile, PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry noted that the PTI’s protest call had ended in failure, claiming, “By creating hardships for people, they are claiming to achieve their objectives.” He also reported that PTI’s local leaders had presented themselves for arrest to avoid participating in the party’s sit-in call, emphasizing that the government will not allow anyone to spread anarchy in the federal capital.
