Imran Khan Stands Firm on Principles, Maryam Nawaz’s Comparison with Nelson Mandela Ridiculous: Shandana Gulzar

PESHAWAR: PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar has said that party founder Imran Khan remains steadfast on his principles, while describing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s portrayal of herself as Nelson Mandela as “ridiculous.”

Addressing an emergency press conference at the Peshawar Press Club alongside other PTI leaders, Shandana Gulzar strongly criticized the federal government and state institutions.

A PTI lawyer and leader, speaking at the press conference, alleged that the current rulers treated the country like a factory and the people as their workers, with the aim of suppressing citizens and crushing political opponents.

Criticizing Maryam Nawaz over her remarks about serving time in prison and comparing herself with Nelson Mandela, he said Imran Khan had not entered politics on the strength of money. He claimed that Khan was enduring imprisonment for his principles and described it as following the example of Imam Hussain, while accusing his opponents of playing the role of Yazid.

He further described the incident in which Imran Khan was allegedly dragged by his collar from a court premises as one of the darkest days in the country’s history, calling it an even greater tragedy than the hanging of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Responding to questions from journalists, Shandana Gulzar described the May 9 incidents as a “false flag operation.” She said PTI workers were political activists and not an armed force against whom such allegations could be made.

She also claimed that 15 innocent children associated with PTI had been killed at PIMS hospital in Islamabad, saying they belonged to different parts of the country.

Criticizing the federal budget, she claimed that only Rs1,000 billion had been allocated for the development of the entire country, while Rs8,000 billion had been earmarked for what she described as other expenditures and aircraft.

Speaking about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources and taxes collected in the former tribal areas, she alleged that the province’s rights were being denied.

Regarding the party’s future course of action, Shandana Gulzar categorically announced that PTI would hold its “constitutional and peaceful” protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad on September 27 under all circumstances.

She strongly condemned alleged violence against women workers and girls, saying PTI would not apologize for the May 9 incidents because, according to her, the party had done nothing wrong.

She also defended the performance of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, saying the provincial administration was working day and night to safeguard citizens’ basic rights and address their problems.