MUZAFFARABAD: Workers and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) would hold rallies and demonstrations across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to expose and denounce the elements engaged in toppling the elected government of Prime Minister Imran Khan “out of sheer frustration and at the behest of foreign forces,” an AJK cabinet member said on Saturday.

Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, a senior leader of the ruling PTI and minister for local government and rural development (LG&RD), told reporters after chairing a meeting at the municipal corporation Muzaffarabad that the proposed rallies and demonstrations would also be aimed at expressing complete solidarity with PM Khan.

“Kashmiris will take to the streets to testify their unflinching affection and support for their ambassador who has spared no effort to convincingly raise their longstanding issue at each and every international forum,” he said.

Mr Ahmed maintained that while PM Khan had always championed the integrity, honour and prestige of his nation, his opponents had been habitually doing the other way around “in their lust for power”.

“Out of their deep-rooted hankering for power the opposition leaders have stooped so low as to declare the whole nation beggars,” he said, referring to an alleged comment by PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif.

Mr Ahmed said the opposition leaders could manoeuvre traditional palatial intrigues against PM Khan but they could not divest him of the faith and affection of the people of Pakistan.

“Imran Khan is the prime minister of hearts. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with their patriotic leader and will thwart all conspiracies against him,” he asserted.

According to Mr Ahmed, the Parade Ground power show on March 27 was just a small manifestation of the endearment to PM Khan.

“The double dealing of opposition leaders who are hell bent upon compromising and denting the country’s self-respect and national interests will lead them nowhere,” he said, warning them both the nation and history would not pardon them for this unethical and immoral activity.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2022