Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Monday criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for running a harmful anti-state social media campaign. During a ceremony in Karachi, Iqbal remarked, “What PTI is doing against Pakistan’s institutions is something even India’s RAW could not fathom.”
Iqbal drew comparisons between PTI’s rise to power in 2018 and a national crisis, equating it to the events of 1971, which led to Pakistan’s division. He noted that, unlike PML-N and PPP, which stayed within limits in their opposition, PTI crossed critical “red lines” following the May 9 riots, which saw the destruction of public and military properties.
He expressed concern about the negative global perception of Pakistan and called for a united effort to restore the country’s image. Emphasizing Pakistan’s potential, Iqbal stated that with a focus on technological advancements and long-term reforms, the country could outpace its neighbors over the next two decades.
Meanwhile, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser assured that the party would not seek personal revenge once Imran Khan is released. In an interview, Qaiser stated, “Anyone guilty will be held accountable by the courts, not by us. Imran Khan has instructed us to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards revenge and concentrate on national progress.”
