Peshawar, May 4: Jailed former premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday declined the government’s invitation to attend a briefing on Pakistan-India tensions, citing political grievances and demanding broader political consultation.
In a statement, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram announced the party’s decision to boycott the briefing, saying that while PTI firmly condemns all forms of terrorism and recognises the significance of national unity, it cannot participate under the current political circumstances.
“Imran Khan, the founding chairman of PTI, is being unjustly imprisoned. Despite this, he has consistently condemned terrorism in his messages from jail and has called for national unity. His position reflects the vision of a true national leader,” Akram said.
The PTI said that it remained committed to the defence of the country and would be “on the frontlines” if the need arises.
However, the party urged the government to immediately convene an All-Parties Conference (APC) to foster collective decision-making during this critical time.
“This is not the time for political point-scoring. The government must take all political forces into confidence,” Akram added.
Political pundits believe that government’s briefing was expected to inform major political parties about the prevailing security situation following recent escalations with India. The PTI’s refusal marks a significant political rift at a time when national unity is being emphasised across the board, said a political analyst, who did not wish to be named.
Pak to brief UNSC on latest regional developments
Pakistan has decided to brief the UN Security Council on the latest regional developments in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the foreign office said on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed Pakistan’s UN Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, to take immediate steps to convene a meeting of the Security Council, the statement said.
The decision comes amid tensions between Pakistan and India following the Pahalgam terror attack. Terrorists killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.
“Pakistan will inform the UNSC about India’s aggressive actions, provocations, and provocative statements,” the foreign office said.
“Pakistan will specifically highlight India’s illegal actions to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty,” it said, adding that the country would clarify how New Delhi’s actions are jeopardising “peace and security” in the region.
Clerics refuse to lead
funeral prayer of slain TTP commander
The clerics in Pakistan’s restive northwest have refused to lead the funeral prayer of a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant commander killed in clashes with security forces, officials said on Sunday. Minhaj, a TTP commander, was killed in clashes with security forces in the Shawal area of the North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last week, they said. (PTI)
