LAHORE: Amid growing speculation over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor’s rule and banning of the former ruling party, incarcerated former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday warned against “crushing” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by Imran Khan.
In an informal interaction with journalists outside an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Qureshi said, “Crushing the PTI is not appropriate for the politics of the country. »
The senior PTI leader, currently lodged in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, said imposition of KP government would amount to spreading hatred in the province.
His statement comes after speculation began circulating in social and local media that the federal cabinet, according to Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah, discussed the possibility of imposing the governor’s rule in KP following party demonstrations in the federal capital.
However, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif dispelled speculation, saying the Center was not considering imposing governor’s rule in KP.
Responding to a question, Qureshi warned, “Banning PTI will be a big mistake. »
He thanked PPP, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) president Mahmood Khan Achakzai for opposing the KP Governor’s rule.
A day earlier, the JUI-F leader had said that the governor’s rule was not a solution, adding, “I will not support the government of KP and Balochistan even if it is constitutionally allowed.” »
Surprisingly, the PPP, an ally of the ruling PML-N, also opposed the idea of banning the PTI. A day earlier, PPP Punjab chapter general secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza said, “We are not in favor of banning PTI or sidelining it. The government should instead take the initiative to bring the PTI into the national mainstream.
Replying to another question, the PTI leader said all political parties were holding protests over the water issue.
It is pertinent to mention here that the ruling and opposition parties in Sindh have unanimously rejected the proposal to dig six more canals from the Indus River. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said the PPP would not compromise the province’s water at any cost.
“Not a single drop of water from Sindh will be given to anyone. We will not give up our rights or claim those of anyone else.”
Qureshi also pleaded with the court to arrange his meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, who is lodged in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.
Last week, the senior PTI leader, in a sarcastic remark, urged the party’s “free” leaders to consider visiting him at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, “if they find time”.