Parachinar ‘burning’, but Gandapur sleeping: Azma

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said the ‘fire’ in Parachinar has now spread to the streets, while KP Chief Minister Gandapur is sleeping.

Talking to media here on Saturday, she said Gandapur was only focused on one dream how to launch an attack on the federal government, using government employees. He never held any meeting regarding law and order in KP. These individuals are creating a ruckus on social media, asking why the army and federal government aren’t coming to help. The federal government will only step in when the provincial government is present and active. Gandapur is more concerned about how to distribute billions of rupees among protesters than the safety of his people.

She said these same individuals claimed to bring Shariah to a country where Shariah originated. “If I were to explain what kind of Shariah Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi want to implement, everyone would be astonished.

Bushra says Imran Khan came into power to please Allah. I ask, was he trying to please Allah by embezzling £190 million, applying Article 6 to people, committing thefts, or tarnishing the honour of others?” She said a reputable journalist published a report showing that more than 1.34 billion rupees were withdrawn by commissioners and deputy commissioners to be distributed among imams, of which 91.94 crore rupees were distributed, while the remaining 39 crore rupees have no record. These funds will now be used for “May 9 Part 2”.

The information minister stated: “We cannot leave Islamabad at the mercy of these goons. Maintaining order is the responsibility of both the provinces and the federal government, and we will fulfil this responsibility. Anyone who tries to take the law into his own hands will be treated like Khwarij.”

She said the Islamabad High Court clearly stated that no one would be allowed to disrupt peace, and they should be given a designated place for protests. “According to our information, Afghan nationals and armed groups will be involved in their protests.

Imran Khan is desperate for casualties and is willing to go to any lengths to achieve that. Whatever treasonous rhetoric Bushra has spouted, it was with Imran Khan’s consent. Now, all of PTI operatives are making unsuccessful attempts to cover it up.”

Azma continued: “Imran Khan is in jail for corruption and theft cases. Nawaz Sharif did a lot for Imran Khan, but betrayal is Imran’s nature.

If the PTI had been a legitimate political party, it wouldn’t have to face such circumstances today. If Gandapur ever feels any shame, he should go to Parachinar and Kurram Agency instead of threatening Islamabad’s security agencies.”

In response to questions, she said Punjab was a province where development was taking place rapidly. However, disruptive elements are preventing peace even in Punjab. She stated: “They want to neither do any work themselves nor allow others to do it.

We know exactly how to deal with these troublemakers. If necessary, any province has the right to call the army or Rangers to maintain peace and order. We have never heard of an interim bail being granted for a year and a half in any case. It is unheard that a case is registered in one province and bail is granted in another.”

She said the judiciary must ensure that its actions do not undermine the love for the country under political bias. She criticized the PTI for exploiting innocent children under the guise of its youth wing, stating that these children are left abandoned with no one to care for them. “The PTI is a terrorist organization; every time it has taken to the streets, it has spread terrorism. Protecting the lives and property of ordinary citizens from these terrorists is the responsibility of the state, and the state knows how to fulfil this responsibility effectively.”