PTI leaders criticised the government over its reluctance to talk to Afghanistan and called for institutional balance in running the country and addressing recent issues effectively.
leaders Asad Qaiser, Taimur Khan Jhagra, and Haleem Adil Sheikh addressed a press conference in Islamabad, with former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair.
Qaiser said that it was “unfortunate” that people from Afghanistan were brought and settled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Referring to the ongoing tensions with Afghanistan and the resulting halt of trade, he said commercial activities were not stopped globally despite wars and conflicts.
“People are not getting jobs and economic activities have been halted in the province as the border with Afghanistan has been closed.
You are ready to improve relations with India and did a ceasefire with India, which is our biggest enemy, so why not with Afghanistan? I suggest that trade should be done with Afghanistan, all issues should be settled through diplomacy,” he said.
He also demanded that there should be rule of law and all institutions should play their role as per the Constitution.
“We are not against any institution. Pakistan Army is our army, and our children serve in it, but we want it to remain within its constitutional domain. Imran Khan is also in favour of trade with Afghanistan, and during his tenure, a policy was implemented to enhance it. Pakistan should not get involved in external disputes. We want the rule of law,” he said.
Qaiser added that there were allegations that people in KPK were engaged in smuggling, but he said their business opportunities were blocked. He said industries were being closed in the province, due to which unemployment and frustration were increasing.
The former National Assembly speaker said the KP government held a peace jirga in which all political parties were invited and it was disclosed that the provincial law and order issue was due to foreign policy and state policy.
Qaiser also said that the PTI engaged in consultation on the 27th Amendment, but later decided not to become part of the process as the current assembly lacked the mandate of the masses.
