Who Said What at Today’s PTI Rally?

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers have taken to the streets in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while the PML-N-led government is utilizing all state machinery to disrupt the protest. With the government and opposition in direct confrontation, reactions from both sides were inevitable.

Let’s take a look at who said what at today’s PTI rally and the government’s reaction.

Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage, and Culture, Attaullah Tarar, criticized PTI workers on Sunday for pelting stones at police during a public rally.

In a statement on his X account, the minister explained that this incident reinforced the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership’s belief that PTI does not support peaceful protests or assemblies. Tarar clarified that the disturbance occurred at only one location and that order had since been restored.

Meanwhile, Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik, also speaking on Sunday, criticized PTI for its history of challenging the state’s authority and attacking defense installations.

In a conversation with a private news channel, Dr Malik claimed that the top PTI leadership had threatened to attack the federal capital. In response, he said the government had implemented security measures in Islamabad, citing PTI’s track record of causing unrest.

Addressing questions about potential legal reforms, Dr Malik noted that, given the current circumstances, constitutional amendments are necessary to provide greater clarity and reinforce the state’s authority.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated on Sunday that organizing rallies will not lead to the release of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder from prison. Speaking to the media at the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR), she remarked, “We are not afraid of rallies but of the actions of PTI members.” 

Bukhari described the recent PTI gathering in Islamabad as more of a concert than a political rally, accusing the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government of using public resources, including Rescue-1122 vehicles, to transport attendees.

She criticized the leadership of Imran Khan, saying the people of KP were deceived in the name of ‘Naya Pakistan’ and that money was likely paid to bring participants from the province to the rally.

Reflecting on the events of May 9, Bukhari likened it to the fall of Dhaka and stressed that those involved in the violence, as well as those who ordered it, would be held accountable.

Bukhari questioned why cases related to the May 9 attacks should not be tried in military courts, pointing out that during PTI’s government, 40 cases had been heard in such courts, including the GHQ attack case.

She also noted the contradiction in Imran Khan’s stance, as he had previously opposed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments, yet had now filed for relief under the same law.

Highlighting the current situation in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bukhari criticized former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for failing to deliver in his home region.

In contrast, she praised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz for her service across Punjab, particularly for launching the country’s first school nutrition program in DG Khan to benefit underprivileged areas.

When asked about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s recent criticism of the government, Bukhari responded diplomatically, acknowledging his seniority and choosing not to comment further.