SIALKOT/GUJRANWALA: Dr Arif Alvi, the former president, stressed the importance of engaging in dialogue as the most effective approach to resolving disputes or issues.Speaking to members of the District Bar Association Sialkot, he emphasized that lack of dialogue frequently results in violence and impasses, ultimately proving unproductive for all parties involved.
“It seems to me that all the institutions in the country are heading towards a dead end,” he said. “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is currently the most popular political party in the country, and its leader, Imran Khan, is the most beloved national leader. It is sad and ironic that he and his party are being sidelined,” Alvi added.
The ex-president was of the view that common people were the true owners of the country, not lawyers or defence personnel. He stressed that ignoring the choices or preferences of the common people was unwise. Alvi suggested that PTI and its leadership should not be treated as enemies of the country or anti-state elements. Instead, efforts should be made to engage them positively for collective betterment.
Alvi said that he had met Imran Khan in jail and found him in high spirits and determined. He said that PTI welcomed any investment from Saudi Arabia or bilateral activities to promote bilateral trade and business as it was a brotherly country that had firmly always stood by Pakistan since the very beginning and it even welcomed any investment from the US. “PTI fully supports the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”
Highlighting the legal background of prominent figures like Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Alvi stressed the importance of civilian supremacy. He noted that military dictatorships in Pakistan had led to tragedies, such as the separation of East Pakistan and assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Alvi urged all national institutions and politicians to adhere to Quaid-i-Azam’s direction and perform their duties without encroaching on each other’s domains.
He commended six judges from Islamabad for addressing the unwanted involvement of certain elements and expressed the hope for the Supreme Court of Pakistan to resolve the matter decisively. Alvi later spoke to the media at Jinnah House.
Meanwhile, Arif Alvi visited Gujranwala and met with the family of an accused arrested in the 9th May case. The ex-president consoled Usman Laghari’s family, who was arrested and involved in the May 9 case. Alvi said that Imran Khan had instructed him to visit the homes of arrested workers from the 9th May incidents and convey message of courage in the fight for freedom.
Alvi encountered challenging inquiries from reporters, many of which he chose not to respond to. He said: “I condemn the punishments that happened on 9th May incidents. Imran Khan directed me to comfort the arrested and punished workers and tell them this is the real freedom war.”
During the conversation with journalists, the former president faced tough questions. A journalist questioned the apparent contradiction between PTI’s denial of involvement in attacks on military installations and his visits to the homes of those allegedly responsible. The journalist also pointed out that the ex-president had previously condemned the 9th May incident but was now visiting the accused individuals.
In response, the former president reiterated that he had already clarified the party’s policy statement. A question-answer session was going on when Alvi left without answering the journalists.
Meanwhile, former president Dr Arif Alvi has brushed aside speculations that the founder chairman Imran Khan intends to appoint him as the party chairman.
“There is unnecessary speculation that Mr @ImranKhanPTI intends to appoint me as Chairman of the party. There is no such thing being envisaged by my leader nor was it discussed in my meeting with him. These speculations create confusion in a party whose leadership is wrongfully & unjustly incarcerated but despite thousands of arrests, coercion, brutality & torture PTI has remained vibrant,” he said in a statement issued here.
He said Chairman Gohar Khan was leading the party very well and is present in parliament too. “I would like to put this inaccurate non-issue to rest with a clear denial,” he said.
“I want to work for the people of Pakistan as along with stolen mandate, a false, emotional & irrational scenario has been thrust upon us. Divisive & hateful narratives are being spread. As a nation we are and we should remain united in our struggle,” he maintained.
