PTI seeks immediate release of Imran, inclusion in strategic decision-making

ISLAMABAD: Slamming the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) urged the government on Sunday to immediately convene an All Parties Conference (APC) on the rapidly deteriorating regional situation and formulate a consensus-based policy on the belligerent Israel.

In the light of escalating crisis, PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram called for immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan and his inclusion in strategic decision-making regarding the situation arising out of Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran and the subsequent US strikes on the country.

He contended that Tel Aviv was pushing the entire region to the brink of a devastating war. He also expressed alarm that the regional situation was fast changing and the government’s “ostrich-like” approach could prove disastrous.

In a statement, he said the flames of the war had already reached Pakistan’s doorstep and underlined that Pakistan can undoubtedly weather the storm, just as it did against India, “but the power elite must take the nation into confidence and forge a consensus-driven approach because Pakistan is currently caught between a rock and a hard place”.

Akram praised Imran Khan’s foresight, noting that a week earlier he had sent a message through his sisters to postpone the protest for two weeks due to the Iran-Israel conflict.

“(US President) Donald Trump issued a deceptive signal, claiming he would not engage in the Israel war for the next two weeks,” he said, claiming: “Khan’s famous quote—‘No one understands the West better than me’—proved to be true.”

He recalled that the PTI founder had stated on the floor of the House that Pakistan could partner with the US in peace, but not in war, as the country had already paid an immeasurable cost in terms of both lives and resources for siding with the US in its meaningless and unnecessary wars.

Waqas said Israel could not have invaded Iran without the strong backing and support of the US, which was evident from the airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities even after Tehran was given a two-week ultimatum, simply at the behest of Israeli prime minister.

“The US not only violated Iran’s sovereignty but also breached the UN Charter and resorted to an act that could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences at both regional and international levels,” he added.