LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party Central Punjab general secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza has stated that voices emerging from within Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf are a divine warning for its founder.

He pointed out that even the imprisoned allies of the PTI founder are now advising him to adopt a political engagement approach.

Reacting to the statement of PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Murtaza remarked that the difference between words and actions has alienated PTI’s close friends and voters. “Politics is like flowing water; stagnant water becomes foul,” he added.

Referring to PTI’s alienation from other political players, the PPP leader said that politics is done with mutual respect and tolerance among parties. He accused the PTI of conspiring to drag the country and its economic indicators down while the nation has just begun to see relief from inflation. “You are even trying to snatch that relief from the people,” he said.

He criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for allegedly utilising resources of the province to get a single individual from prison instead of diverting these funds towards the welfare of the masses.

About the PTI founder’s call for a nationwide protest on Nov 24, Murtaza warned that the party would not be allowed to repeat the May 9 incidents in which military installations had been attacked in the name of protest. “Mend your behaviour before next Sunday, or humiliation will be your fate,” he cautioned.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024