PTI leadership misleading nation on death toll, says Tessori

LAHORE:Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leadership is misleading the nation while presenting false figures related to deaths in the Nov 24 long march related clashes.

Speaking at the 'Meet the Press' event at Lahore Press Club, Tessori claimed he would give Rs2 million to each family if the record of 278 casualties presented before him. He stated that the allegations of bloodbath in Islamabad were false adding he could not even see blood stains at the D Chowk. He further said that Pakistan armed forces were pride of the country and they should not be criticised.

The Sindh governor went on to say that Pakistan belonged to every individual not to a specific political party adding every citizen between the age of 12 to 70 was well aware in the present state. Tessori further stated Pakistan was passing through a very troubled time and added the reason behind prevailing trouble in the country was not only related to the internal issues but also the conspiracy hatched by anti-Pakistan foreign elements. The country needed economical strength and it was time to move ahead, said Tessori.

The Sindh governor also urged elements misleading the nation to realise the importance of a free Pakistan while drawing a comparison with the people of Palestine who could not sleep peacefully under present circumstances.

He also lauded the Lahore Press Club executive body for inviting him as the guest and stated he was pleased to visit Lahore Press Club. He said it was honour for him to speak at this event. He added people of Sindh and Punjab were not different from each other and both provinces looked same. He told media that Pakistan was a land of exceptional talent and the troubled phase would come to end. He said the stock exchange was witnessing a boom now. Regarding Sindh, he said efforts were underway to bring the people of Sindh towards IT. He also stated that bikes and lap tops had been distributed amongst the students.

Tessori stated PTI founding chairman was solely responsible for his arrest. He said both Altaf and Imran had confrontation with the state adding he was ready to negotiate with Imran if the former prime minister gave preference to state not to his political agenda.

To a question, he said he had spent four days in Islamabad after November 24 but no victim family met him. He added if he was the Governor of KP, he would have served as a host. Tessori further said that the PTI founding Chairman had neither any vision nor team. He said despite having so many MNAs, he relied on his wife who was sent to lead the movement for his release.

To a question about negotiation with Imran, Tessori stated it was based on consent between two sides including establishment and Imran. He stated if both sides develop any path of dialogue, he would certainly play his role.

He also stated India was a bitter enemy of Pakistan and was behind the terrorism on our homeland. To a question about Kalabagh Dam, Tessori said this issue should be resolved through dialogue.

Regarding the security situation of Sindh, he said the Sindh CM enjoyed executive powers. He added if the IG Sindh listened to the governor for one month, the crime rate would reduce to almost zero percent. He said he would write to the Sindh government to chalk out a joint strategy against street crime. Afghanis also had a role in crime in Karachi, he added. He also stated that Pakistan was making progress and the success of Shanghai Conference was its example adding there had been no security issue during that moot.