PTI urged to quit ‘anti-state drive’, hold dialogue

ISLAMABAD: The federal government spokesperson for Legal Affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik Sunday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) must quit its anti-state activities and propaganda, and talk to the government on political issues instead of damaging the nation’s interest at global forums.

He was speaking at a press conference here to brief the media on the political party’s anti-state activities abroad.

Barrister Malik said there was no precedent to the PTI’s country enmity, as it was perpetrating anti-Pakistan legislation in foreign countries. “Pakistan is an independent country and does not take dictation from any nation. We want friendly relations with all nations,” he said.

“A concentrated smear campaign has been launched against Pakistan in foreign countries after the 2022 vote of no-confidence with anti-Pakistan propaganda,” he said, adding that the PTI had hired lobbyists and PR firms to promote anti-Pakistan campaign abroad.

He warned that the government and state of Pakistan would clamp down on the overseas Pakistanis if the anti-state agenda was promoted. “In May 2023, 65 congressmen wrote a letter to the US Secretary of Defense to prioritise the promotion of protection of human rights and democracy in Pakistan. Eleven congressmen wrote a letter to US Secretary of State in November 2023 to suspend the US assistance to Pakistan. Thirty-one congressmen wrote to the US secretary of state and president not to recognise the Government of Pakistan formed after February 2024,” the spokesperson noted.

He underscored that all these tactics were done by the PTI and it was hiring lobbying and PR firms to strongly promote the anti-Pakistan propaganda.

He reiterated that the state and government of Pakistan were fully aware of the campaign and its perpetrators.

“You (PTI) cannot do opposition against the state as by doing so you are undermining it and there is no acceptability and tolerance for it. No political party is above Pakistan; let’s make it crystal clear and no anti-state agenda and narrative will be allowed by the state,” he added.