Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Monday addressed a wide range of issues in a press conference held at the Information Department cell in Peshawar. From internal party dynamics to farmers' rights, Sheikh Waqas strongly voiced the party’s stance on key national concerns.
Dismissing recent media reports of rifts within PTI, Sheikh Waqas termed differences of opinion a "healthy sign" in any democratic party.
“There are no major issues. Everyone is united under the leadership of the founding chairman. He does not believe in any deals,” Sheikh Waqas asserted. He also confirmed that contact has been made with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to address his reservations. “His concerns are not serious; when people from both sides meet, the issues will be resolved,” he added.
He clarified that the entire party, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, stood firmly with the founding chairman, Imran Khan, on the issue of Maulana Fazl.
Criticism over Imran Khan's treatment
Sheikh Waqas expressed deep concern over the treatment of PTI's founding chairman, who remains in custody. “He is imprisoned in fake cases and is being denied basic rights, including meetings with family members and legal counsel,” he said, demanding that the courts take notice of why their orders are not being implemented.
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He warned that if the restriction on meetings continues, public protests could erupt. “Even his children are not being allowed to talk to him or sisters to meet him. The government must stop these inhumane practices and allow basic prisoner rights to Imran Khan and his wife,” he emphasized.
Farmers’ rights and wheat crisis
The PTI leader also turned his attention to the agricultural sector, accusing the government of failing the country's farmers. He demanded that the government immediately announce a minimum support price of Rs5,000 per 40kg of wheat, warning of nationwide protests if the demand is not met.
“If farmers do not get their rights, the rulers will not be able to survive. In a country where 70% of the economy depends on agriculture, this kind of oppression is unacceptable,” he said. “The Punjab government announced Rs4,900 but failed to procure wheat, while the KP government tried but faced unnecessary hurdles.”
He said he hoped that Public Accounts Committee Chairman Junaid Akbar investigates the wheat scandal, insisting that if the government did not announce the wheat support price of wheat, a major crisis could hit the country.
He also criticized the influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying that while subsidies are granted to industrialists, the agricultural sector is being crushed. “If this is a free market, then let farmers also import seeds and fertilizers. You can’t keep taxing farmers while giving industrialists a free hand. What is being done to facilitate the farmer? Instead, they are being taxed."
Sheikh Waqas announced plans to form a PTI farmers’ wing this week to advocate for growers' rights across all provinces.
Sindh canal protest
Commenting on recent protests in Sindh over the construction of six new canals, Sheikh Waqas accused President Asif Ali Zardari of exploiting the province’s resources while ignoring its farmers. He claimed the project will worsen the existing 30% water shortage in the Indus River and slash rice production by 50% due to poor planning.
“We will fully support the protesting farmers in Sindh,” he declared. “The government is playing a dangerous game with the country’s agriculture. If it continues like this, there will be a national crisis.”
