DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan on Wednesday condemned the firing incident on Rawalpindi’s Mall Road, saying the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) neither supported nor endorsed such acts.
Reacting to a press conference by PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry, Mr Jan said the actions of an individual could not be attributed to an entire political party.
He accused federal ministers of using the incident to target PTI and said statements against the party had begun appearing shortly after the incident.
“PTI neither supports nor stands with any such incident,” he said, adding that the party believed in the Constitution, law and democratic principles.
Mr Jan said the PML-N should also recall past incidents of political violence before lecturing PTI. Referring to the Model Town incident and the attack on the Supreme Court, he said the public had not forgotten what he described as “politics of chaos” and repression against PTI leaders and workers.
He also referred to the role of “Gullu Butt” during the previous Punjab government, alleging that such acts had taken place under the patronage of the provincial government and police.
The minister claimed that the federal government was attempting to link the Rawalpindi incident with PTI because of its apprehension over the party’s planned September 27 long march.
“Talal Chaudhry’s real fear is the September 27 long march,” he said, adding that the attempt to associate the incident with PTI was driven by “fear and panic”.
Mr Jan challenged federal and Punjab government ministers to present their own performance before criticising the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. He said PTI’s repeated electoral victories in the province demonstrated that people continued to support its leadership.
He said Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi had become a source of concern for the PML-N leadership and maintained that the September 27 long march would be held under his leadership.
“Talal Chaudhry should remain patient; the September 27 long march will take place under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi under all circumstances,” he said.
Mr Jan reiterated that PTI believed in constitutional, legal and democratic means and would continue to pursue its political objectives through peaceful and lawful channels.
