'Artificial' system about to collapse: Salman Akram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said on Wednesday that the “artificial, anti-human and anti-poor system” imposed through alleged rigging in last year’s elections is now “groaning” and on the verge of collapse.

Speaking at a press conference alongside other opposition leaders, he claimed the national economy is in free fall. Raja stated that wheat prices continue to rise, and massive inflation in agricultural commodities is expected in the coming weeks. He warned the “planners” that they still have time to correct course. “Take the nation along, embrace the truth, understand it, and accept reality,” he urged.

Raja highlighted the ‘two letters’ from judges of the Islamabad High Court, which he said revealed the deteriorating state of the judiciary. He alleged that the higher judiciary has been paralysed. Raja rejected the idea that economic progress can be achieved by abandoning democracy. He argued that dictatorships only divide nations and leave lasting damage. He claimed there is a systematic attempt to silence democratic voices, with journalists under attack and homes being raided.

Despite this, he said the public sees through the lies. He praised Imran Khan for standing with the people, even from jail, and called for an economy that serves the poor—not just the elite.

Raja criticised the government’s response to repeated national disasters, pointing out that Pakistan is once again submerged by floods, as it was in 2022 under the PDM government. He also highlighted the climate of fear in Sindh, alleging that water is used as a political weapon.

Raja condemned the attack on Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s convoy, calling it an act against Pakistan itself. He said such actions will not silence voices like Mengal and Mahrang Baloch.

Salman Akram Raja clarified that Ali Amin Gandapur’s comments on the Kalabagh Dam reflect his personal views, not PTI’s official policy. He added that both the dam and the presidential system are not part of the party’s agenda.

Raja noted that Sindh and KP have reservations about the dam, and such projects should only proceed with political consensus to avoid damaging the federation.

MWM Chairman Senator Raja Nasir Abbas said that even before the floods, the country faced a wave of constitutional violations. He stressed the need to uphold the Constitution and law to ensure national unity.

PTI’s Asad Qaiser condemned the attack on Mengal’s rally and called for urgent construction of small dams in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to address ongoing disasters.

Former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar highlighted growing repression, noting media anchors have been silenced and journalists abducted.

Former Sindh governor Zubair Umar criticised the prime minister’s recent speech in China, in which he claimed that no corruption had taken place since coming to power. “That is a lie. The Accountant General’s report clearly shows Rs300 billion worth of corruption in the wheat scandal,” he said. He reminded that the prime minister had also vowed to confront the sugar mafia—but took no action. “Sugar mill owners, many of whom are in government, made billions through price manipulation,” he claimed.