The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched a scathing critique against the government on Friday, denouncing the Capital Development Authority (CDA) operation that demolished purported encroachments at the party’s secretariat in the federal capital.
Shibli Faraz, the opposition leader in the Senate, vociferously condemned the government benches, accusing them of neglecting the actions taken against PTI.
In a passionate speech, Faraz condemned the authoritarianism, repression, and violence he claimed the government was fostering right under its watch.
His remarks followed an overnight operation where Islamabad police and local authorities razed a portion of PTI’s central secretariat, sealing off the premises for allegedly violating building regulations. PTI retaliated by lodging a complaint with the Islamabad police chief against 35 officials involved in the raid, alleging that the aggressive action occurred in the presence of a United Nations delegation.
Addressing the upper house, Faraz alleged that in addition to the demolition, party members faced baton charges, and the head of PTI’s Islamabad chapter, Amir Mughal, was detained. “You cannot bully your way through politics. You might confiscate our party emblem, arrest our chairman, ransack our offices, or invade our homes, but you cannot erase the affection for Imran Khan from the hearts of the vast majority of the 250 million people in this nation,” declared the PTI senator.
“Regardless of the oppression and tyranny you perpetrate, it will be recorded. […] It will be deeply regrettable when history is written tomorrow,” he added. Faraz asserted that the PML-N-led coalition government failed to secure more than 27 seats in the National Assembly during the February 8 general elections, stating, “You’ve assumed power on a stolen mandate, so at least pretend to be righteous.
“Your deeds and strategies are not winning you favor with Pakistanis or your constituents; instead, they are sowing seeds of enmity,” remarked the senator.
He then highlighted that the economic indicators painted a bleak picture, attributing it to the atmosphere of political instability.
The PTI senator cautioned that if colleagues on the treasury benches did not join the party in condemning the crackdown on the party office, it would imply their approval of it.
‘Encroachments’
In response to Faraz’s comments, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the CDA had been directed to expedite efforts against encroachments.
He noted that several notices had been issued to address the matter, saying, “You were reminded that you constructed two floors without proper authorization and placed containers and erected a parking shed in a public area.”
Emphasizing that the most recent notice was issued on May 10, the law minister argued that the action against the PTI office was in accordance with legal procedures. He also mentioned having discussed the matter with the CDA chairman.
Regarding Faraz’s allegation that Tarar was “launching vehement verbal attacks on the judiciary,” the law minister strongly objected to the statement.
