Khawaja Asif
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday, accusing the party of seeking an army chief who would safeguard its political interests and dominance.
Asif, in his comments, pointed out the hypocrisy of PTI’s approach, claiming that the party desired an army chief who would protect its rule and be seen as its “father” or “master.”
However, he emphasized that when an army chief serves Pakistan’s national interests and upholds patriotism, PTI’s response is to stage protests against him, even in foreign countries like the United States.
In a post on social media platform X, Asif criticised PTI for putting its personal and political interests ahead of the country’s integrity.
He accused the party of exploiting international platforms to push against Pakistan’s interests, even attempting to pressure organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to Asif, these actions are not in the best interest of Pakistan, as PTI’s leadership remains silent on crises like those in the Middle East while simultaneously undermining Pakistan’s position abroad.
Furthermore, Asif called for the abolition of dual citizenship privileges, stating that many countries had already taken similar steps. He urged Pakistanis living abroad to act responsibly, emphasizing that their actions should not harm the country’s welfare.
On the issue of PTI’s political tactics, Asif criticized the party for focusing on social media battles instead of engaging with the realities of Pakistan’s political and economic struggles.
He challenged PTI leaders to return to Pakistan, where they could better understand the issues faced by ordinary citizens.
Asif also accused PTI of hypocrisy in its dealings with Pakistan’s military establishment. He stated that PTI leaders were willing to engage in negotiations with Army Chief General Asim Munir when they saw an advantage, but when negotiations failed, they resorted to disruptive tactics, including inciting chaos similar to the violent May 9 protests.
The Defence Minister concluded by suggesting that PTI’s actions reflected their willingness to accept foreign influence, rather than standing firm in Pakistan’s national interest.
The ongoing rivalry between the PML-N-led government and PTI has intensified, particularly after the May 9 protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PTI’s recent attempt to secure Khan’s release with a march on Islamabad has resulted in significant unrest, with protests spreading across Islamabad and Punjab, prompting the government to seal off key areas in an effort to contain the situation.
