LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has released ‘White Paper’ the other day to mark the first year of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — a multi-party coalition that ousted Imran Khan-led government via a no-trust vote in April last year — in power and underlined how the ruling coalition had “devastated” economy and “contravened” the Constitution.
The 51-pages document comprises 6 six chapters strongly criticizes the governance style of the PDM government, specifically their treatment of the opposition party within the ruling coalition. Additionally, it discusses various topics such as the economy, Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law. The document also touches on issues of political exploitation of state institutions, attacks on the judiciary, a foreign policy that is perceived as being too constrained, and law and order.
Speaking about White Paper via video link, PTI Chairman Imran Khan alleged that the government had severely damaged the country’s institutions, rule of law, and economy while also violating fundamental human rights. He asserted that the federal government was obstructing the court-ordered elections and encouraged his followers to be ready to protest for the cause of justice and human rights.
The people of the nation should be prepared to take to the streets in either of two scenarios: if the government fails to conduct elections, or if elections are held after a crackdown on the PTI and its leaders are imprisoned, he said, emphasizing the need to be prepared for all possible situations.
Imran Khan accused former army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa of conspiring with PM Shehbaz Sharif to overthrow his government with the help of former envoy Hussain Haqqani. He alleged that Bajwa had orchestrated the conspiracy and then hired Haqqani to spread propaganda. He also criticized Shehbaz Sharif for supporting Bajwa’s extension as army chief.