PTI challenges Tarar, as Omar Ayub meets Lord Qurban Hussain

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram Monday berated the information minister for criticising Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, challenging him to reveal the truth about the Sharif ‘dynasty's nearly 40-year rule’ in Centre and Punjab.

He wanted an answer on how they filled their own pockets while driving the country into quagmire of problems during their time in power. He suggested that Attaullah Tarar should focus on issuing a whitepaper on the Sharif dynasty instead of wasting his energy on PTI's KP government, hoping it would help expose how the Sharifs built their influence in Pakistan and abroad, accumulating wealth at light speed while driving the country to the brink of economic collapse.

In reaction to Minister Tarar’s whitepaper on the PTI government in KP, he said the people in the province had already delivered their verdict on party’s performance by re-electing it to power for historic third consecutive time on February 8, 2024 despite all adversarial circumstances.

Waqas said that the KP people consistently voted the PTI to power with increasing strength, demonstrating their unwavering trust in the party and its founder, Imran Khan. He said that ‘unlawfully’ incarcerated founder Imran Khan categorically refused to strike any deal or seek foreign interference to secure his release because he believed in the country's judicial system.

Sh Waqas made it clear that Khan predicted 2025 was a year of a change because these powers grabbers had ruined the entire country and the system could not sustain so anymore. Separately, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan met Lord Qurban Hussain, Member of the House of Lords, at the Opposition Chamber in the Parliament House here. Both exchanged views on strengthening democracy and deepening Pak-UK relations.

Exchanging views on Pakistan's current political situation, Omar Ayub said that rule of law, strong democratic institutions rather than individuals, and freedom of expression rather than repression constitute the core of democracy and serve as intrinsic foundation to progress and prosperity of any nation.

Omar Ayub voiced the opposition’s concerns over the deteriorating state of democracy in Pakistan, citing instances of repression, stifling democratic voices, weakening of democratic institutions, and curtailment of fundamental rights and media freedoms.

“A just and peaceful society cannot thrive under an environment of fear and oppression. We stand resolute in our efforts to safeguard democratic values and ensure that the voices of the people are not silenced,” he said.

Lord Qurban Hussain reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to strengthening Pak-UK relations and expressed his desire to see Pakistan emerge as a peaceful, just and progressive country. Omar Ayub appreciated Lord Qurban Hussain’s principled stance and his continued support for Pakistan in the United Kingdom.

Both leaders agreed on the need for collaborative efforts to uphold democratic principles, foster strong institutions, and protect the fundamental rights of citizens. They also underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to ensure mutual prosperity and progress.