Pakistan’s Political Landscape Incompatible with PTI, Says Ahsan Iqbal

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has stated that Pakistan’s current political climate does not accommodate the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. In an interview with an American broadcasting agency, Iqbal criticized PTI’s founder for having a contradictory political approach, suggesting that PTI must apologize to the nation and institutions; otherwise, there is no room for the party under the present political framework.
Addressing questions about negotiations with the military, Iqbal asserted that the military has decided to distance itself from politics and should not be involved in political matters. He emphasized that while there is no problem if discussions occur between the military and PTI, the nature of these discussions should be clear. Iqbal criticized PTI leader Imran Khan for allegedly inviting military involvement in politics while simultaneously advocating for civilian supremacy. He accused Khan of wanting the establishment to pave the way for him to the Prime Minister’s House.
Iqbal compared the situation to the U.S., noting that if a similar event like the May 9 incident in Pakistan had occurred in the U.S., PTI would face significant legal consequences. He argued that PTI’s actions are directly attacking the interests of the state and that such a political approach has no place in democracy.
He also mentioned that banning PTI cannot be solely based on the government’s desire; it requires validation from the higher judiciary. The decision regarding PTI’s ban will be taken after assessing the international campaign against the party and will be in accordance with the law and constitution.
On a different note, Iqbal assured that the government has successfully addressed China’s security concerns. He stated that China remains committed to continuing cooperation despite the attacks and that Pakistan considers the protection of Chinese nationals as a top priority. He concluded by highlighting that balancing relations with both China and the U.S. is manageable for Pakistan, as the country cannot afford to disregard either power.