Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Thursday criticized Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur’s press conference as poorly planned and emphasized that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, any actions that disturb public order will be dealt with firmly. Talking to a local news channel, he criticized PTI leadership, including Ali Amin Gandapur, for using the issue of access to jailed Imran Khan as a mere excuse to avoid constructive dialogue. 

He said that these excuses reflect PTI’s unwillingness to engage seriously with the government. “If PTI truly wants to resolve the ongoing political tensions, they should come to the table with a clear plan and meaningful proposals instead of resorting to hollow justifications and empty threats,” he added. He asserted that PTI’s capacity to command street power and lead civil disobedience has waned, cautioning that protests must be peaceful and abide by the law. 

Responding to a query about the Governor’s role, he said that they would never take any step that could create a crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that protest is the democratic right of any political party and should be respected as such. To another question, Siddiqui said that describing the governor’s meeting with the Prime Minister as a conspiracy is incorrect. After all, he even meets the Prime Minister, and so do many other political figures as part of normal political processes. 

He also added that Imran Khan underwent a no-confidence motion and recalled that in 2013, PTI was allowed to form the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that PTI’s apprehensions about another no-confidence motion are mere fears, as there have been no concrete developments on this front yet, while emphasizing that the no-confidence motion is a constitutional and legal right which they fully reserve the right to pursue if necessary.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)