PTI distances itself from Marwat’s claim of KSA role in ‘regime change’

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Wednesday its complete disassociation from senior party leader Sher Afzal Marwat’s statement suggesting Saudi Arabia’s involvement in a regime change operation in Pakistan, alongside the United States.

“In line with the directives of PTI’s central leadership, as the party’s central spokesperson, I hereby state that PTI unequivocally disowns the views expressed by Sher Afzal Marwat in a private TV programme regarding Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the regime change operation,” clarified a party spokesperson.

The spokesperson clarified that Marwat’s views neither reflect the PTI’s strategy nor are they considered factual by the party. “These opinions are solely his own and lack support or endorsement from the PTI leadership or its members at any level,” the spokesperson emphasized.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s significance as a close ally and brotherly Islamic country, the spokesperson stressed the esteemed relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are valued highly by PTI’s founder chairman Imran Khan as well as the party’s leadership and workers.

Emphasizing the mutual respect, trust and brotherhood between Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the spokesperson reiterated the PTI’s commitment to fostering cooperation and brotherhood between the two nations.

“The PTI aims to strengthen the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, promoting cooperation and mutual welfare,” the spokesperson affirmed.

In a separate development, the PTI called upon the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) to immediately make the Faizabad Dharna Commission report public and ensure implementation of its recommendations to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Reacting to the report, a PTI spokesperson urged action against the then Punjab government, particularly Shehbaz Sharif, for negligence and misconduct as indicated by the commission’s findings. The spokesperson stressed the public’s right to access verified contents of the report and demanded transparency regarding the roles of intelligence agencies and institutions in politics as identified by the commission.

Furthermore, the spokesperson underscored the commission’s attribution of responsibility to Shehbaz Sharif and his Punjab government for the Faizabad Dharna, citing testimonies from former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, among others.

Calling for accountability, the spokesperson urged Shehbaz Sharif’s resignation and demanded criminal cases against him and his Punjab cabinet, in line with the commission’s recommendations. The spokesperson condemned PMLN’s alleged campaign against state institutions and its efforts to conceal facts, asserting that such practices undermine the nation’s fabric and must be halted.