Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Former Prime Minister and chief of the Awam Pakistan Party, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has alleged that security agencies and police obstructed his party from holding a scheduled national conference at a hotel in Islamabad.
He made these remarks during an interview on program Spotlight with host Munizae Jahangir. Abbasi claimed that the interference was not necessarily the fault of the government but rather a consequence of a “hybrid system” where the civilian administration lacks full authority.
“This is not the government’s doing; they probably don’t even know about it,” Abbasi asserted. “They have no real power—this is a hybrid government. History will eventually reveal the extent of the army chief’s interference in national affairs.”
Drawing parallels with previous administrations, Abbasi argued that the situation was similar under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who, according to him, also led a hybrid government.
He recalled past incidents where political figures were arrested without clear accountability, adding that Imran Khan himself later denied responsibility for such actions, instead attributing them to former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Abbasi also commented on Imran Khan’s recent letter to the United States, in which the PTI founder sought international attention on Pakistan’s governance issues.
He dismissed this approach, asserting that Pakistan’s internal matters should be resolved domestically rather than involving foreign nations. “It is not America’s job to ensure whether our country is being run according to the constitution or not,” he said. “That responsibility lies with our political leadership.”
He further urged Khan to reflect on his own governance failures. “He should consider how many times he violated the constitution, how frequently he undermined the rule of law, and how many human rights abuses occurred under his government. He must learn from these mistakes rather than shifting blame.”
Speaking about the current administration, Abbasi criticized its handling of national affairs, claiming that its governance failures are so severe that the public has even begun to overlook Imran Khan’s tenure.
“Since 2018, the establishment has been given excessive space in governance,” he added, implying that the military’s influence has only increased over time.
Abbasi also pointed to structural flaws within Pakistan’s political system, highlighting irregularities in the Senate election process. “In Balochistan, one person became Senate chairman twice despite not being affiliated with any political party.
These theatrics will continue as long as political power remains concentrated in the hands of a select few.”
He advised the PTI to focus on addressing key national issues instead of engaging in power struggles. “If PTI wants to be a serious political force, it should work on raising its voice on matters that impact the country rather than seeking external validation,” Abbasi concluded.
