Ahsan Warns of Possible Geostrategic Backlash If PTI Doesn’t Stop Meddling in GB Polls
LAHORE: PMLN Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal has warned Imran Khan and the PTI government to stop jeopardizing the future of the extremely sensitive and strategic Gilgit-Baltistan by immediately recalling all federal ministers from the region and rescind all measures taken to meddle with the upcoming elections.
At a press conference Ahsan said the same experiment of engineering elections and coercing electables that led to the devastating results for Pakistan in 2018, is being applied in Gilgit-Baltistan to get desirable results. He cautioned that this is dangerous at multiple level. Firstly he said Gilgit-Baltistan is an extremely sensitive and crucial region strategically where Pakistan’s worst enemies are plotting to find a spark of controversy or local dissent to destabilize the region. This, he said would jeopardize not just national security but would also endanger crucial sections of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Secondly, he pointed out that the PMLN government in Gilgit-Baltistan served with diligence, dedication and transparency and served the people in a way which brought prosperity, stability and trust to the region for the federation of Pakistan.
Ahsan said federal government is using development funds, threats, coercion through its federal ministers sent to Gilgit-Baltistan and through state machinery to block PMLN as if it is an anti-state party. PMLN is the party that founded Pakistan and is as patriotic as any other party of Pakistan, if not more he said. He said the federal government has already forced a number of PMLN electables to switch sides, and warned that this practice must stop.
The PMLN Secretary General slammed the double standards of justice where the opposition leaders are dragged through courts with their daughters and sisters in face cases while Imran gets an acquittal by home delivery, without even the charges being framed and without him appearing before the court even once. He said this acquittal inadvertently brings back the memories of Judge Arshad Malik and how he forged the decision because in the face of damning evidence in the form of the phonecall in which Imran and Alvi are congratulating each other over conquering PTV and the parliament. He said PMLN is extremely concerned over this verdict because it takes away people’s trust in the justice system of the country which is essential for a stable Pakistan. A country where the people start doubting the justice system is a breeding ground for anarchy, he warned. he appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to probe and review the merits of this decision.
Ahsan slammed Imran for calling the opposition pick-pockets and said that Imran and his government are the worst Kleptocracy in the history of the country who robbed the public mandate. This kleptocracy of pick-pockets has clipped the people’s pockets worth Rs 400 billion in sugar scandal alone, he said. Not to mention the trillions robbed from the nation through flour, medicine , electricity and gas tariffs. He said and the biggest robbery of all was the trade-off of Kashmir. He said Imran had either rendered Pakistan so weak that India took this step without fear or apprehension. Or Imran traded Kashmir and the blood-drenched sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris. People of Pakistan and the Kashmiris are asking Imran Ahmed Niazi who had he traded Kashmir off to and at what price, he said.
