Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Wednesday dissolved the party’s political committee, with a plan to replace it with a smaller body.
The party’s information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram while talking to Sunriseconfirmed that the current political committee has been dissolved and will be replaced by a new committee, with fewer members. The now dissolved committee had about 40 members.
Waqas explained that the new committee will most likely be made up of the party’s provincial chiefs, opposition leaders and a few other members.
The party’s jailed founder also ordered to appoint Shahid Khattak as parliamentary leader in the National Assembly.
However, according to party experts, it may not apply. In the past, Zartaj Gul was appointed parliamentary leader, but this time the excuse could be made that independent legislators cannot be appointed to that position. Furthermore, Imran has authorized KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to reorganize the Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF).
PTI criticizes government for its reluctance to talk to Afghanistan
PTI leaders on Wednesday criticized the government for its reluctance to talk to Afghanistan and called for institutional balance to govern the country and address recent problems effectively.
PTI leaders Asad Qaiser, Taimur Khan Jhagra and Haleem Adil Sheikh addressed a press conference in Islamabad with former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair.
Referring to the current tensions with Afghanistan and the resulting trade disruption, he said trade activities did not stop globally despite wars and conflicts.
“People are not getting jobs and economic activities have stopped in the province due to the closure of the border with Afghanistan. You are willing to improve relations with India and you made a ceasefire with India, which is our biggest enemy, so why not with Afghanistan? I suggest that trade be done with Afghanistan, all issues be resolved through diplomacy,” he said.
He also demanded that there be rule of law and that all institutions play their role according to the Constitution.
“We are not against any institution. The Pakistan Army is our army, and our children serve in it, but we want it to remain within its constitutional domain. Imran Khan is also in favor of trade with Afghanistan, and during his tenure a policy was implemented to improve it. Pakistan should not get involved in external disputes. We want the rule of law,” he said.
Qaiser added that there were allegations that people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were involved in smuggling, but said their business opportunities were blocked. He said industries were being closed in the province, causing unemployment and frustration to increase.
The former National Assembly Speaker said the KP government held a peace jirga to which all political parties were invited and it was revealed that the issue of provincial law and order was due to foreign policy and state policy.
Qaiser also said that the PTI participated in consultations on the 27th Amendment but later decided not to be part of the process because the current assembly lacked the mandate of the masses.
Meanwhile, Zubair said exports had been declining for the past three years and the trade deficit had increased by 37 percent.
“The government claims that the economy has regained stability. However, last week, three government figures, including SIFC representative General Sarfraz, said that no one will invest in Pakistan because of higher taxes.”
Zubair added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should listen to his own people. He said that among 120 countries, Pakistan was ranked 109th in terms of governance. “Pakistanis don’t get respect abroad,” he said.
The former governor said a recent government unemployment survey showed the unemployment rate was the highest in 21 years and that inflation had increased living expenses.
He also said the government was not willing to talk about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, which said the privileged class in Pakistan was being unfairly favoured.
Zubair said it was unfortunate that no PML-N or PPP leader could become finance minister. He added that bankers were tasked with tackling the economy despite the presence of many economists in the country.
Jhagra, speaking during the press conference, said a government spokesperson had explained that PTI founder Imran Khan was not allowed to meet party leaders and their family members because he was a Taliban sympathizer.
“The spokespersons of the Ministry of Information are becoming a laughingstock by giving interviews to foreign media. In terms of governance ranking, Pakistan’s ranking was below all South Asian countries. Pakistan was ranked 109th, but Bangladesh was 95th, Sri Lanka was 99th and India was 72nd,” he said.
He added that the National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting will be held on Thursday and KP will take up its case to get its due share. He further said that the current NFC award was against the Constitution as the people of erstwhile Fata were not getting their share.
