ISLAMABAD: The core committee and spokespersons of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday condemned what they called the government’s intention to resume trade with India and accord recognition to Israel.

During a meeting held at PTI chairman Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence, the party discussed devising a strategy to counter the government’s alleged move vis-a-vis resuming trade with India without resolving the Kashmir dispute and recognising the Jewish state.

The meeting also condemned the government for withdrawing security of former prime minister Imran Khan and providing the Rangers for the security of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz despite her being a convict.

The meeting, chaired by Mr Khan, slammed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for its decision to withdraw cases against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

Amid PTI-ECP tension, Qureshi meets chief election commissioner

Referring to posts on various social media platforms, he said a delegation, which also had a Pakistani national, had recently travelled to Israel. He said people of Pakistan would never accept any attempt to establish ties with Israel or recognise it.

“Security has been withdrawn from former prime minister Imran Khan and has been provided to a convicted personality Maryam Nawaz,” he regretted.

According to a statement issued by the PTI, members of the Cheena group during a meeting with Imran Khan informed him that the party’s dissident members of the Punjab Assembly were facing severe reaction from the masses.

Separately, a day after the PTI announced filing a reference seeking removal of the chief election commissioner, the party’s vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a detailed one-on-one meeting with the CEC.

He told reporters after the meeting that lasted over an hour and a half, he said the election commission and political parties had an “unbreakable relationship”.

Mr Qureshi said he met the CEC to present the PTI’ point of view. “To understand the legal complexities and take guidance from him was necessary for me,” he said.

Mr Qureshi said he took up two cases with the CEC, including the one regarding horse trading case against Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Mr Qureshi said if the government announced the date for elections as well as the date on which the assembly will be dissolved, then his party could consider holding talks with the government on electoral reforms to ensure free and transparent polls.

He said they had already offered cooperation on electoral reforms and are also ready to cooperate with the new government on the matter.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2022