The latest salvo was thrown by Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Information for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan saying that “things have reached a point of no return”.
Addressing a news conference, he said the PTI had consistently targeted the institution that had brought pride to the nation at the global level.
Wali assailed the PTI for its recent actions, warning the party, “We have tolerated you with much grace and for the sake of democracy. However, things have now reached a point of no return, no mercy and no tolerance.”
“All doors to talks are now closed,” Wali said.
He went on to say that anyone supporting the incarcerated PTI founder “stood for the desecration of Pakistan’s sovereignty, honour, and development”.
“We do not want to label anyone a traitor or ban a political party,” he continued. However, he stressed that “given the current state of affairs, I ask the people what [else] can be done”.
He blamed the PTI for attacking state institutions, promoting hatred, and destabilizing the country using different means, including false narratives.
The coordinator questioned PTI’s performance during its years in power, saying that despite 13 years of rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the party could not construct a single major hospital or university. “Which project did PTI build during its rule?” he asked, alleging that the party’s politics had harmed the younger generation by spreading hatred.
“It was a blessing from God that the Centre, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan have remained safe from the PTI’s dirty politics,” he remarked, warning that the government “will now set K-P free as well.”
While commenting on PTI’s recent political gathering in Peshawar, Wali said they failed to gather even a modest crowd in its Peshawar rally despite mobilising people from across the country. He alleged that the party routinely used religion for political gains and had adopted “a political approach that encourages extremism”.
He further drew a comparison between PTI and banned outfits, calling that “there is no difference between the TTP and the PTI”.
He held the PTI responsible for incidents such as May 9 and November 26, saying the party had repeatedly damaged national interests.
Responding to speculation regarding Governor’s Rule in K-P, he remarked, “If we had intended to impose Governor’s Rule, we would have done so after the November 26 incident.”
He further alleged that PTI’s social media networks were being operated from India and Israel, adding that the Indian media was actively promoting what he called the “false narrative” of the PTI founder’s family.
Concluding his remarks, he reaffirmed his commitment to national unity, declaring, “My choice is Pakistan. Long live Pakistan.”
Sharjeel Inam Memon
Sindh Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the events of May 9 can never be forgotten and urged political leaders to acknowledge their past mistakes for the sake of the country’s stability.
Addressing a news conference at Sindh House in Islamabad, Memon said the individual who was “brought into power through rigging in 2018” not only stole the public mandate but also failed to deliver any meaningful governance during his three-and-a-half-year tenure.
Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s former government, he said its leaders still only speak about Shaukat Khanum Hospital and the university project, but cannot point to any major development initiative from their time in power.
He said the PTI era would be remembered as a “dark period” marked by political victimisation and attacks on democratic institutions.
The minister said it was ironic that the former prime minister was now being projected as a hero despite his past claims of having “ideal relations with the establishment.”
He questioned why the PTI leadership did not speak about democratic norms when they were in government, recalling incidents such as the Senate chairman’s election and the party’s stance during the no-confidence episode.
Memon accused the PTI government of gross human rights violations, including arrests of political opponents, media trials, and filing fabricated cases.
He recalled the arrest of President Asif Ali Zardari, and how Faryal Talpur was sent to jail on the night of Eid. “Their era was the worst form of authoritarianism,” he added.
Memon also criticised the PTI’s alleged international lobbying, claiming that foreign media outlets, including in India, readily opened their doors for the party’s leadership and family members.
He also questioned why Israel — accused globally of severe human rights violations — expressed concern over the PTI founder’s arrest.
The minister said his party does not label anyone a traitor but appealed to PTI leaders to practice responsible politics and refrain from inciting youth towards hatred and destruction.
Memon stressed that the government remains open to dialogue and believes political issues must be resolved through talks.
However, he said PTI has repeatedly refused to engage. “We still want political reconciliation, but politicians must admit their mistakes. The nation cannot forget the events of May 9, nor the attack on the residence of Quaid-e-Azam,” he said.
He said the PTI founder was neither a ‘superman’ nor had he achieved anything extraordinary. “We cannot overlook what happened to the country,” he said.