Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday, accusing the party of prioritising its political ambitions over national interests. He alleged that PTI seeks an army chief who would protect its rule rather than serve Pakistan’s interests.
“An army chief who supports PTI becomes their ‘master.’ But when an army chief works for Pakistan’s welfare with patriotism, PTI protests against him in the United States,” Asif said in a post on X, previously Twitter.
The senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader accused PTI of exploiting foreign platforms to harm Pakistan. He claimed the party attempted to influence institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) against the country. Asif criticised PTI leaders for ignoring global crises like those in the Middle East while allegedly working against Pakistan abroad.
He emphasised that actions undermining Pakistan’s national interests should have consequences. “People working against Pakistan’s welfare should be held accountable,” Asif stated.
The minister also called for the abolition of dual citizenship privileges, citing other nations that had already implemented such measures. He urged overseas Pakistanis to act responsibly and refrain from harming the country’s stability.
Targeting PTI’s political strategy, Asif accused the party of hypocrisy in its relationship with the military. He claimed PTI leaders are willing to negotiate with Army Chief General Asim Munir but resort to disruptive actions when their demands are not met.
“Their pattern of submitting one day and creating chaos like May 9 the next shows their acceptance of foreign agendas,” Asif said.
The ongoing conflict between the PML-N-led government and PTI intensified after the violent protests on May 9. PTI has repeatedly demanded the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned at Adiala jail.
PTI’s recent attempt to secure Khan’s release included a march on Islamabad on November 24. The demonstration led to four days of chaos in Islamabad and Punjab as the government sealed critical points to contain the protesters.
Khawaja Asif also criticised PTI leaders for focusing on social media campaigns rather than understanding the struggles of ordinary Pakistanis. “If they want to engage in politics, they should return to Pakistan and face the realities of daily life instead of fighting online battles,” he remarked.
The minister’s comments reflect the growing tension between the two political rivals over PTI’s actions at home and abroad.
