PML-N’s Azma Bukhari says PTI only understands language of force

Commenting on the protest demonstration the PTI plans to hold at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi today, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Saturday that the party had again decided to create chaos in the society, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, she said that the PTI leaders must bear one thing in mind and that was they had not been granted permission for the demonstration. “Section 144 has already been enforced in the garrison city.”

But it appeared, the minister added, that the party only understood the language of force.

She, while referring to former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, said the man imprisoned in Adiala Jail did not want a peaceful Pakistan.   

She made it clear to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur that if the situation deteriorated during the demonstration, he would be responsible for that. “It is beyond comprehension that a chief minister should be concerned about the issues confronting the people of the province. But Gandapur carries AK-47 in his hands,” she said, adding, “The situation in KP is getting worse as security forces come under attack almost on a daily basis. But the CM is least bothered.”

“Have you ever seen a political party marching on a city with weapons?” she questioned.  

Azma said that previously too, the PTI had indulged in acts of violence.

The minister said she saluted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for diverting the world’s attention towards state terrorism in Kashmir and Palestine during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). “It was the prime minister who first boycotted the Israeli prime minister’s speech, and other world leaders then did the same,” she said, adding, “PM Shehbaz shook the conscience of the entire world. Surely he represented the sentiments of the entire Pakistani nation.”  

Azma was of the view that barring a few people, every Pakistani was satisfied with the performance of the PM. “All economic indicators are now showing signs of improvement,” the minister claimed.

She said after the IMF approved the loan programme for Pakistan, other money-lending organizations too expressed their satisfaction with the country’s economic progress.  

Commenting on the PTI’s rally at Kahna in Lahore, Azma said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz allowed the party to hold the event in spite of the language used by the KP CM about her.

Addressing a press conference for the second time on Saturday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari, while alleging that KP CM Gandapur and the PTI workers accompanying him are armed, has said that the provincial government will not allow them to march on Punjab.

She has said that the provincial police know how to deal with the rioters. “You will not be allowed to do what you plan to do here,” she has said emphatically. 

“Has anybody seen a political party bringing weapons with it?” she has questioned.

The minister has told the KP chief minister in unambiguous terms that if any untoward incident, he, and not the Punjab government, will be responsible.

Already, she has added, section 144 is enforced in the garrison city, and nobody will be allowed to violate it.