Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif has criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for engaging in “negative politics” and pointed out the divisions within the party following the sudden postponement of the August 22 rally in Islamabad.
The PTI, led by Imran Khan, decided to delay its public gathering in the federal capital and rescheduled it for September 8 after the local administration revoked the no-objection certificate and sealed roads leading to Islamabad.
Disagreement arose within the party as PTI leaders Gohar Ali Khan and Azam Swati claimed that the gathering was deferred on the instructions of the PTI founder after meeting the incarcerated former prime minister. However, other party leaders, including Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, contradicted these statements.
Minister Asif reinforced his stance by highlighting a recent audio clip of Aleema Khan expressing a lack of confidence in the current PTI leadership and questioning the party’s intentions regarding the ousted premier’s release from jail.
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Asif also accused the PTI of postponing the rally out of “fear of rejection” and dismissed the idea of external interference in the party’s decision-making. He further criticized the PTI for denying involvement in the May 9 riots and labeled the party’s actions as a “false narrative” to salvage its diminishing popularity.
In addition, Asif criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, comparing him to “Buzdar 2” and highlighting governance failures in the PTI-led province.
Finally, in response to a question about foreign influence, Asif emphasized the need for Pakistan to independently shape its destiny, regardless of political changes in the United States.
