Defense Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized the need for national unity, urging political parties to set aside differences and work collectively for the betterment of the country.
“Political differences can remain, but everyone must come together for the nation,” he said while speaking to the media in Sialkot.
He criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that the government offered the party to negotiate, but alleged that it wanted to meet the establishment only. "The PTI founder is heavily reliant on the establishment. He also got very close to (former army chief) Gen (retd) Bajwa," Asif added.
He further noted that when PTI founder Imran Khan's wife reached a safe spot during the party protest, her container was set on fire. "Maybe there was some evidence regarding police infiltration," he alleged.
The minister condemned the politicisation of journalism, asserting that journalists should not serve as tools for political parties. Referring to suspected cases involving journalists after the PTI protest, he said, "A journalist should not represent any political party. They were there that day as a political worker."
He also claimed that certain statements that journalists had made about journalist Matiullah Jan were indescribable. "If Rana Sanaullah gave any statement regarding the FIR against Matiullah Jan, he should get it investigated and dismissed. When he was arrested, he was present at a place where the killings took place."
Asif assured that restrictions on internet access and VPN blockage would be lifted within a few days.
He further referred to the PTI's recent protest march in Islamabad as "May 9 2.0", vowing that there would be no attacks now. "The people of [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] are our brothers. It is the duty of every citizen to deal with miscreants."
Talking about the speculation around the alleged deaths during the PTI protest, the minister mocked that PTI leaders have reduced the number of casualties to single digits after creating propaganda about thousands. These people should give a figure after consultations among themselves so that the supposed bodies can be found," he remarked.
Asif remarked that PTI leader Latif Khosa cited 278 as the death toll, but every leader is giving a different number. "No funeral video has been made public till date. There is no evidence to show that people were killed at D-Chowk," he claimed. He also alleged that during a recent party meeting, Bushra Bibi had abused workers and senior leaders.
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Highlighting security issues, Khawaja Asif expressed concern over Taliban attacks in Parachinar and claimed terrorists were crossing the border from Afghanistan. He criticised the provincial government for its inaction, stating, "Instead of addressing the situation in Parachinar, the provincial head reached Islamabad."
He lauded the country’s defence forces for their role in countering threats, emphasizing that they "played a key role in saving us from disaster".
Aviation achievements
Discussing the recent lifting of the ban on Pakistani airlines by Europe, Asif praised the PIA’s efforts to regain permissions for flights to the European Union, the United States, and the UK, which he said had been suspended during the PTI regime. He termed it a “significant achievement” and commended the aviation team for overcoming challenges to re-enter international markets.
The minister also highlighted the competition in the aviation sector, with PIA holding a 30% share of air traffic while foreign airlines dominate the rest.
