LAHORE: The federal and Punjab information ministers have said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is holding rallies to secure NRO-like relief for its supreme leader Imran Khan.

“PTI rallies in Lahore, Sangjani, and D-Chowk were unsuccessful. It is holding rallies solely to secure an NRO for the PTI founder,” Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said while talking to reporters here on Saturday.

The minister called for improved law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing the PTI of attempting to sabotage the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference last month.

“The PTI founder encourages the party for protests and unrest to seek personal release,” he alleged, adding that creating divisions and hatred in society was actually a plot orchestrated by the outsiders. “No political leader or party stands above Pakistan. We are empowering the youth according to Allama Iqbal’s vision.”

Those involved in the events of May 9 aimed at destabilising Pakistan through their conspiracies, he said.

Mr Tarar questioned why under the PTI rule, KP had been prevented from focusing on education, health, and youth affairs. He alleged that those funding PTI were working for Israel.

Claiming PML-N government performance, the minister said investments were increasing, inflation declining, and the economy had shown significant improvement.

He emphasised that Pakistan’s investment agreements with Saudi Arabia exceeded $6 billion, Qatar had committed $3bn for investment, and Azerbaijan pledged $2bn.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corr­idor was advancing rapidly, strengthening Pakistan’s relations with China.

Also, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that the purpose of PTI’s protests and rallies was only to get an NRO for the prisoner in Adiala Jail, which would never be granted.

“Those who once sought freedom from America are now dying for Trump’s slavery. The prisoner in Adiala Jail is always ready to beg from anyone for personal gain,” she said.

“In the Swabi rally, municipal staff, rescue workers, and police personnel were brought in plain clothes. Attendance for all government employees was marked at the rally site,” she alleged.

She said the KP government of PTI was misusing federal funds meant for the welfare of the people of the province.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2024