NEW DELHI: A leader from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI ), the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan , has stirred controversy by suggesting that external affairs minister S Jaishankar should join PTI's ongoing protests.
The comment made by Muhammad Ali Saif, an advisor to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , triggered sharp criticism from Pakistan's ruling coalition on Saturday.
Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Heads of Government (SCO-CHG) meeting in Pakistan on October 15 and 16.
Saif, during an appearance on Geo News on Friday, responded to a question by saying, "PTI will invite Jaishankar to come and join our protests and see that Pakistan is a strong democracy where everyone has the right to protest."
His statement was met with a strong rebuke from government ministers. Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ( PML-N ), called the remark "highly irresponsible" and accused PTI of displaying "enmity towards Pakistan."
Sindh information minister Sarjeel Memon, from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), criticized PTI, saying, "Today the PTI is inviting Jaishankar, tomorrow they’ll call the Israeli premier. This party is anti-Pakistan and aims to sabotage the SCO summit ."
Defence minister Khawaja Asif echoed these concerns, saying that the invitation cast doubt on PTI's credibility.
In response to the backlash, Saif later claimed his remarks were taken out of context.
The PTI has been staging protests demanding adherence to the constitution, judicial independence, action against rising inflation, and the release of its leader, Imran Khan.
Khan, 72, has been incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since his arrest on August 5, 2023, and faces multiple legal cases.
As tensions escalate, the Pakistan Army has been deployed in Islamabad to ensure security ahead of PTI’s planned protest at D-Chowk. The army will remain in the capital until October 17, coinciding with the SCO summit.
The government has blocked major highways, suspended mobile services, and imposed Section 144 to prevent public gatherings and demonstrations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The comment made by Muhammad Ali Saif, an advisor to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , triggered sharp criticism from Pakistan's ruling coalition on Saturday.
Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Heads of Government (SCO-CHG) meeting in Pakistan on October 15 and 16.
Saif, during an appearance on Geo News on Friday, responded to a question by saying, "PTI will invite Jaishankar to come and join our protests and see that Pakistan is a strong democracy where everyone has the right to protest."
His statement was met with a strong rebuke from government ministers. Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ( PML-N ), called the remark "highly irresponsible" and accused PTI of displaying "enmity towards Pakistan."
Sindh information minister Sarjeel Memon, from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), criticized PTI, saying, "Today the PTI is inviting Jaishankar, tomorrow they’ll call the Israeli premier. This party is anti-Pakistan and aims to sabotage the SCO summit ."
Defence minister Khawaja Asif echoed these concerns, saying that the invitation cast doubt on PTI's credibility.
In response to the backlash, Saif later claimed his remarks were taken out of context.
The PTI has been staging protests demanding adherence to the constitution, judicial independence, action against rising inflation, and the release of its leader, Imran Khan.
Khan, 72, has been incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since his arrest on August 5, 2023, and faces multiple legal cases.
As tensions escalate, the Pakistan Army has been deployed in Islamabad to ensure security ahead of PTI’s planned protest at D-Chowk. The army will remain in the capital until October 17, coinciding with the SCO summit.
The government has blocked major highways, suspended mobile services, and imposed Section 144 to prevent public gatherings and demonstrations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
You may also like
'unprecedented savegery': Prosecutor claims 15-year teenager stabbed 50 times and burned alive likely in drug-related attack
Schoolboy, 15, pulled out of class after extremely normal haircut dubbed 'extreme'
Authorities swing into action to clear waterlogging, downed trees after heavy rains in Bengaluru
Hugh Grant says 'no role' for him in 'very sad' Bridget Jones 4 film and he was 'crammed in'
