Pervez Khattak, a former close associate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, has made critical remarks, stating that Imran Khan’s “Naya Pakistan” slogan was merely a political gimmick to deceive voters. He also labeled Khan as a “dictator.”
Khattak, who formed a breakaway faction of the PTI called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) in July, did so following violent protests that erupted on May 9 after the arrest of Khan in a corruption case.
At a party event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand district, Khattak expressed his disillusionment, stating, “Imran Khan’s slogan of Naya [new] Pakistan was nothing but a political drama. I supported Imran Khan to change the country’s system, but all his slogans were proven false.”
He further accused Imran Khan of harboring hostility towards all his political opponents and rival parties, and he referred to the PTI chairman as a dictator who seeks to introduce a presidential system in the country.
In his address, Khattak also criticized Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), suggesting that his political agitation was solely aimed at attaining power.
Khattak asserted that the political leadership in the country treats the nation as an “enemy” and pointed out that no political party has effectively implemented its election manifesto.
He stated that his newly-formed party aims to deliver justice to the masses directly at their doorstep.
Khattak founded the PTI-P to expose what he saw as the dual faces of political leaders. In a previous public rally, he criticized political leaders for misleading the public for the last 75 years with promises of “roti, kapra aur makan” (food, clothing, and shelter) and “Naya Pakistan” (New Pakistan).
With the announcement of the general election date on February 8, 2024, political parties have intensified their rhetoric and blame games.
