PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former provincial minister Shaukat Yousafzai announced that the party will launch a movement for Imran Khan’s release after Eid.
Talking to Pakhtun Digital, Shaukat Yousafzai said that his party is working on two strategies to get rid of the mandated stolen government.
He said that the PTI’s first priority was to form a grand alliance. If successful, PTI will consult allied parties before moving forward against the government.
If the formation of the alliance is delayed in any way, PTI will begin its solo movement independently but still with proper consultation. Yousafzai said that this time, the party will ensure an organised and well-calculated struggle.
Responding to a question, he said that political struggles never fail. He admitted PTI made mistakes in past movements but vowed to correct them in the upcoming anti-government movement.
Justifying internal rifts and weakness in mass movements, he said that many leaders, including Imran Khan, remain in jail, which has weakened the party’s structure. This time, PTI aims to avoid past mistakes and ensure a disciplined campaign.
Hitting hard at the opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said that PTI government in KP are prioritizing provincial matters over the party affairs. He said the provincial government continues to issue health cards and develop infrastructure.
He blamed the federal government for spreading propaganda against PTI. He also accused Islamabad of neglecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. Yousafzai defended PTI against allegations of resettling members of banned organisations in KP, stating that such decisions come from institutions, not political parties.
Yousafzai questioned why law and order situation is getting worsen in Balochistan despite PTI not being in power there. He blamed cross-border terrorism and criticised the federal government for lacking a clear Afghan policy. He asked how many times the foreign minister had visited Kabul to address security concerns.
He also accused Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry of prioritising press conferences over security issues. He said Chaudhry’s recent media appearance focused on PTI rather than a counter-terrorism strategy.
Yousafzai slammed the government’s economic policies. He said global oil prices are low, yet fuel remains expensive in Pakistan. He accused the government of benefiting the sugar mafia and mismanaging wheat production.
He revealed that 187 textile factories have shut down in Punjab. He questioned claims of economic progress, citing a rising trade deficit and tax collection below targets.
Yousafzai accused the government of record-breaking borrowing. He said PTI was criticised for taking Rs. 6,000 billion in loans over three years, yet the current government took Rs. 27,000 billion in just two years. Since April 2022, Pakistan has sought loans of Rs. 1,000 billion.
Also Read: Governor KP accuses PTI of bringing militancy to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Yousafzai highlighted KP’s financial struggles. He claimed the federal government has withheld Rs. 2,000 billion in net hydel profit. He also said KP is not receiving its rightful share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and that the province’s merger with FATA has not been financially accommodated.
He urged govt and ministers to focus on governance instead of blaming PTI for the country’s problems.
