In a fiery statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has launched a scathing attack on PTI, accusing the party of conspiring against Pakistan’s interests ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
Asif highlighted that, just as in 2014, PTI’s sit-in protests are once again disrupting critical national events, referring to the delay of the Chinese President's visit a decade ago. This time, he claimed, the party is attempting to sabotage Pakistan's international standing by targeting the SCO summit, which he predicts will soon surpass even the UN in importance for Pakistan.
Asif accused PTI of aligning itself with external forces, specifically referencing the party’s invitation to Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to a protest at D-Chowk. He raised serious questions about PTI’s Pakistanines, asserting that this move undermines Pakistan's sovereignty.
According to the minister, armed groups from Afghanistan, allegedly supported by PTI, are preparing attacks on Islamabad, echoing the same patterns seen during PTI's 2014 protests. He stated that these acts are tantamount to attacks on Pakistan itself, likening them to "an enemy force" targeting the country.
Furthering his allegations, Asif charged that PTI has aligned itself with a “Jewish lobby” and Taliban factions, accusing the party of orchestrating violence for political gain. He claimed that while Pakistan's economic indicators are improving, PTI aims to derail this progress through chaos and bloodshed.
The minister added that PTI’s leadership, who, he asserts, has always found support from the judiciary, are now aiming to disrupt Pakistan’s relations with the international community, specifically mentioning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a previous target.
Asif's strong rhetoric points to escalating tensions between the ruling government and PTI, as both parties prepare for crucial political and international events.
