Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly condemned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for allegedly spreading false narratives and misusing resources during its November 24 protest in Islamabad. Addressing the media in Sialkot, he accused the PTI of inciting violence by attacking Rangers and police personnel during the demonstration.
Asif lambasted the PTI leadership for abandoning the protest site when resistance intensified, stating such behavior was unprecedented in the history of conflicts. He highlighted discrepancies in PTI’s casualty claims, with leaders quoting varying numbers and the KP Chief Minister alleging thousands of deaths.
The minister questioned the authenticity of these claims, urging the PTI to present verifiable evidence, such as videos from the families of the deceased. He further alleged that the KP government misused state resources to launch an attack on the federal capital instead of addressing serious issues in Parachinar, where Taliban-related violence was ongoing.
Recalling previous incidents, Asif accused the PTI of disrupting crucial diplomatic engagements, including the Chinese president’s visit in 2014, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference, and the Belarusian president’s visit.
He warned that no attempts to undermine Islamabad’s security or tarnish Pakistan’s reputation would be tolerated. Concluding his remarks, Asif commended the contributions of all provinces toward the nation’s development and urged unity for progress.
