'PTI in contact with Fazl, wants joint movement against govt'
1. Asad Qaiser reiterates party's resolve to continue pursuing its struggle within constitutional framework, law
PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has stated that the party, after several marches to Islamabad, is now seeking to collaborate with other political forces to initiate a united movement against the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“We are in contact with Maulana Fazlur Rehman of JUI-F. We aim to launch a joint movement against the government,” Qaiser said during a media interaction in Peshawar on Tuesday.
His remarks come as tensions between the Imran Khan-founded PTI and the current government have escalated, with PTI accusing the ruling coalition of undermining its mandate, while the government has repeatedly claimed PTI's involvement in anti-state activities.
The conflict intensified in late November when PTI organized a protest at Islamabad's D-Chowk, resulting in law enforcement actions and the filing of multiple cases against the party’s leadership.
Qaiser also commented on the role of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto, stating that the party was equally complicit in the events of November 26. He added that while the government has yet to reach out to PTI, the party remains open to discussions about its demands.
The PTI leader emphasized that his party is committed to its struggle within the constitutional and legal framework. He criticized the government for labeling political workers as terrorists while overlooking the true security threats posed by militants.
Addressing the country’s worsening law and order situation, Qaiser accused the government of targeting PTI instead of addressing the real security concerns. He also announced a ceremony to honor martyrs, scheduled for December 15 at Bagh-e-Naran.
Qaiser condemned the government for using force against “peaceful citizens” and alleged that unarmed individuals had been shot. He further criticized the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it unconstitutional, and reiterated PTI’s demand for the release of all “political prisoners.”
In a separate development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s Adviser Barrister Muhammad Saif stated that multiple cases have been filed against the PTI founder in Punjab and Islamabad. According to Saif, 99 FIRs have been registered in Punjab, and 74 in Islamabad, all after the PTI founder’s arrest. He questioned how someone in jail could be accused of committing crimes.
Saif pointed out that the PTI founder remains a significant concern for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), describing him as a source of constant agitation. He praised the PTI founder for facing all the “fabricated cases” and expressed confidence that these baseless charges would soon be dismissed.
