PESHAWAR: Provincial Minister for Agriculture Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Major (Retd.) Sajjad Barkwal, dismissed the opposition leader’s Press conference and said that the opposition leader engaged in a struggle in which he would fail to win during their lifetime.
He suggested that instead of criticising others, the opposition leader should first examine the performance of his brother. Barkwal argued that if any investigation or FIR should be filed, it ought to be against members of the opposition leader’s family, highlighting serious concerns about their conduct.
Barkwal said that the role of the federal government is not limited to merely providing information in times of crisis but also includes taking effective measures to address and mitigate the issues at hand. He called it the joint responsibility of the federation and the state to manage and resolve challenges promptly and effectively, implying that the current federal response has been inadequate.
Touching on the opposition leader’s perception of Islamabad, Barkwal accused him of viewing the capital as a place solely meant for luxury and extravagance. He said this impression was formed based on the behaviours of the opposition leader’s brother and other party figures, whose actions have shaped his opinion about others.
Regarding the controversy over helicopter timings, Barkwal noted that the provincial government’s spokesperson had already provided a full explanation. He sarcastically remarked that if the opposition leader had also paid attention to the helicopter schedules in Islamabad, perhaps a sense of decency or pride would have been awakened in him.
Defending his party’s leadership, Barkwal insisted that the current PTI leaders are imprisoned unjustly, suffering for offences they have not committed. He sharply contrasted this with the opposition’s leader, alleging that PML-N chief fled to London while involved in questionable activities, even resorting to dubious paperwork while imprisoned. Barkwal’s comments underscored what he perceives as a stark difference between PTI’s sacrifices and the opposition’s failings.
Rejecting any suggestion that the opposition leader could ever become the chief minister, Barkwal stated that PTI parliamentarians stand united, unwavering, and like a solid rock behind their current chief minister. This solidarity, he said, effectively blocks any attempts by the opposition to gain power in the province.
Responding to the opposition’s description of the provincial government as a “germ-infected” or “diseased” regime, Barkwal condemned this language as disrespectful both to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to the democratic mandate they had given.
He interpreted such insults as evidence of the opposition’s political immaturity and frustration, which ultimately led to their rejection by the electorate. Barkwal further pointed out that the opposition has resorted to manipulating legal procedures, including the controversial use of Form 47, to undermine democratic processes.
Barkwal expressed confidence that the people’s trust in PTI’s leadership, especially in Imran Khan, remains firm and growing. He emphasised that the masses have given their mandate to Imran Khan for the third time because they believe he offers genuine leadership and guidance for the country’s progress, contrasting this with the failures of the opposition.
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