PTI Threatened to Bring 2 Million People to Islamabad, but No One Came Out After Governor’s Rule: Aftab Sherpao

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Sherpao has criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying the party had threatened to bring two million people to Islamabad but failed to mobilise its supporters after the imposition of Governor’s Rule.

Addressing a ceremony marking the 14th founding anniversary of the Qaumi Watan Party in Peshawar, Sherpao said Pakistan was passing through a difficult period, while the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become alarming.

He said a government had remained in power in the province for 13 years and accused the PTI-led administration of causing extensive damage, adding that people were increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with politics.

Sherpao said terrorist incidents had taken place in the province while the chief minister remained occupied with rallies. He added that the federal government had invited PTI for talks for the first time and that he had urged the party to take the negotiations seriously.

“PTI was preparing to bring two million people to Islamabad, but when Governor’s Rule was imposed, nobody came out,” Sherpao said.

He blamed PTI leaders and the party’s social media campaign for the failure of negotiations, alleging that the party had neither carried out its planned long march nor managed to retain control of the provincial government.

Sherpao’s remarks came amid continuing political tensions between PTI and the federal government over negotiations, governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the province’s security situation.