Sheikh Waqas demands federal govt apology over its stance on Gaza agreement
PESHAWAR
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) central leader MNA Sheikh Waqas Akram on Thursday demanded that the federal government issue an apology to the people of Palestine and Pakistan over its stance on the Gaza agreement, calling it a betrayal of national sentiment.
He said the PTI strongly condemned the use of force in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, calling for immediate restoration of internet services, withdrawal of Rangers, and release of arrested party leaders.
Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC), PTI Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram launched a scathing attack on the federal government, particularly targeting the Prime Minister’s response to the 20-point agreement on Gaza.
He labeled the Prime Minister’s statements as “childish” and accused him of “fooling the nation.”
“Sheikh Waqas questioned how the Prime Minister could support the agreement without properly reading it. ‘On one hand he supports the agreement, and on the other, he disowns it. Such duplicity is unacceptable,’ he said.
‘The PM should have taken the matter to parliament before making any sensitive decisions,’ he added.
Criticizing the international silence on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Waqas Akram asked, “Who will be held accountable for the bloodshed in Palestine? Will Israel ever face trial in the international court?” He termed the Gaza agreement “a bargain in the name of peace” and said it goes against the sentiments of the Pakistani people. “Innocent civilians are being martyred in Gaza every day, while the world watches silently,” he said.
Waqas Akram said that the Pakistani government should publicly state its stance on Palestine instead of pursuing a double policy.
Turning to the worsening situation in Azad Kashmir, Akram condemned the reported deaths of more than two dozen civilians and called for an immediate end to the use of force. “We support the demands of the Public Action Committee. Internet services must be restored, the Rangers withdrawn, and all arrested leaders released immediately,” he said.
The PTI central leader also criticized the federal government for what he called systemic targeting of PTI. Referring to the recent Commonwealth report, he said, “The report clearly mentions the worst electoral rigging in Pakistan’s history. PTI’s mandate was stolen, our leaders were silenced, and the founder’s name was banned.”
Akram alleged that media laws and the judiciary were manipulated solely to punish PTI, and that youth were deprived of their democratic rights. “The world is calling this regime a vote thief. The rulers must answer for their actions,” he concluded.
