GILGIT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan People’s Party leadership on Sunday criticised Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider for what they called bringing into disrepute Pakistani institutions in a bid to defend the alleged corruption of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Terming Mr Rehman and Mr Haider as traitors, the PTI and PPP leaders demanded registration of FIRs against them for their ‘derogatory’ remarks against judiciary and military.

Speaking at a news conference in Gilgit Press Club, PTI GB chapter secretary general Fatullah Khan said GB chief minister and AJK prime minister had insulted the sentiments of the people of AJK and GB and their strong affiliation with Pakistan, its army and judiciary.

“We strongly condemn the remarks of AJK prime minister and GB chief minister, and ask them to tender an apology for such remarks,” he said.

While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the AJK premier had stated that Kashmiris would have to rethink their stance whether or not to align with Pakistan, apparently angered over the disqualification of PM Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court.

In his presser, also held in the federal capital, the GB chief minister stated that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification was a rebellion.

“These remarks are unacceptable to us. Heads of both the regional governments have committed treason, for which they should be asked to leave their respective public offices,” demanded Fatullah Khan.

PTI Gilgit region president Aziz Ahmed, party’s vice president for GB Dilshad Banu and others were also present on the occasion.

Aziz Ahmed said PTI would convene a multiparty conference on the matter.

He said GB and AJK people were patriotic citizens and they could never accept such unfounded remarks.

The PTI leader said GB chief minister and AJK PM should resign from their posts for such remarks.

Meanwhile, Jamil Ahmed, PPP senior vice president for GB, while addressing a press conference in Skardu condemned the remarks of AJK premier and GB chief minister, labeling the utterances as treason.

He demanded registration of cases against both the PML-N leaders under the National Action Plan.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2017