A recent comment by Muhammad Ali Saif, a leader from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has triggered widespread controversy in Pakistan. Saif suggested that Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar should join PTI’s ongoing protests against the Pakistani government, claiming that this would showcase Pakistan as a strong democracy where citizens have the right to protest.
- Invitation Context: Saif made the remarks during a recent appearance on Geo News, where he stated, “PTI will invite Jaishankar to come and join our protests” to witness the democratic nature of Pakistan. The comments were intended to draw attention to PTI’s demands for constitutional adherence, judicial independence, and the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been jailed since August 2023.
- Backlash from the Ruling Coalition: The statement drew immediate criticism from Pakistan’s ruling coalition members. Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar condemned the comment as “highly irresponsible” and accused PTI of harbouring anti-Pakistan sentiments. Government officials also expressed concerns that such comments could undermine the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad, scheduled for October 15-16.
- PTI’s Clarification: In response to the backlash, PTI swiftly distanced itself from Saif’s remarks. Party Chairman Gohar Ali Khan clarified that the comment was taken out of context and emphasized that no foreign dignitary should interfere in Pakistan’s internal political matters. He reiterated that PTI’s protests focus on domestic issues and do not involve external entities like India.
- Security Measures: In preparation for the SCO summit, the Pakistani government has ramped up security in Islamabad. Military forces have been deployed, highways have been blocked, and mobile services have been suspended to ensure peace and order during the summit and PTI’s planned protests.
This incident highlights the complex political landscape in Pakistan as Imran Khan’s PTI continues to oppose the current government while managing sensitive diplomatic relations with India amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. With the SCO summit approaching, the situation remains tense, further complicating the country’s political and security environment.
