Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Labels PTI Leaders as Seasonal Butterflies

Islamabad:Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has accused leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of being opportunistic and fickle in their stances. Speaking on the issue of phone tapping controversies, he emphasized that the matter is progressing through legal channels, particularly concerning national security matters and the ongoing anti-terrorism efforts.

Khawaja Asif pointed out that he had also listened to the remarks made by PTI’s Omar Ayub and others advocating for phone tapping. He recalled a time when the establishment seemed pleased with their conduct, finding both their permissible and impermissible actions commendable. However, he now finds their statements repulsive to their followers.

He further stated that opposition parties are all engaging in seasonal political strategies, noting that they themselves used to promote and endorse phone tapping, both their own and others’, with joy and enthusiasm.

Khawaja Asif elaborated that complaints and grievances persist within the coalition government due to various party interests and differing political objectives.

He acknowledged that Bilawal Bhutto’s comments are indeed accurate, expressing a desire to reduce complaints and grievances. He underscored that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s fundamental issue is its lack of representation in Punjab, whereas the Pakistan Muslim League (N) does not face a crisis of federal ministries.

It should be noted that the federal government has granted authority to the nominated officer of the ISI to trace calls. The federal cabinet approved the circulation for a sensitive agency’s nominated officer to trace calls.