Barrister Saif says PTI will continue protests, denies talks with govt

English , Pakistan - پاکستان , Snippets , / Wednesday, December 4th, 2024

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Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has stated that while they believe in dialogue — having negotiated even with the Tehreek-e-Taliban — currently, there are no talks underway with the government and protests will continue. Speaking to the media in Peshawar alongside Shibli Faraz, he said, “the govt has filed false cases against us. Six cases have been registered against me. We have protested before, and we will continue to do so until this illegitimate government is ousted.” He asserted that traveling to Islamabad is every citizen’s right, and PTI founder Imran Khan has made it clear that the protests will continue. “Sit-ins, rallies, and demonstrations are all part of a movement, and we have the right to protest anywhere.” Barrister Saif emphasized, “I have always been a proponent of dialogue. It was I who initiated talks with the Taliban. We have even held negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban. We believe in dialogue, but no talks are currently happening. If Imran Khan permits, we will engage in negotiations.” Criticizing the government, Barrister Saif said, “These fake individuals call us instigators. They should not talk about democracy. The real instigators are those who opened fire on unarmed citizens while negotiations were ongoing.” Commenting on law and order, the K-P spokesperson said, “Security is a regional issue. Since 1979, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has faced law and order challenges stemming from Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan. The PTI has not worsened the security situation; the federal government is merely blaming us for failing to maintain peace. It is the federal government’s responsibility to ensure border security, and issuing statements alone does not fulfill that responsibility.” Barrister Saif further mentioned that a grand jirga has been activated to maintain peace in Kurram. “We facilitated a ceasefire, and the Chief Minister donated a helicopter to deliver medical supplies. There is no emergency in Kurram, just an ongoing conflict. Orders have been issued to dismantle the bunkers built in the area.” In response to a question, he said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will decide whether to participate in the governor’s All-Parties Conference (APC). Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met with a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker who was pushed off a container during the Islamabad protest. Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the incident of the PTI worker being pushed off the three-storey container and expressed his regret. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa extended his best wishes for the swift recovery of the injured worker and assured full cooperation in their treatment. Gandapur expressed that the ‘brutal “violence against peaceful protestors” is highly condemnable.’ He saluted the courage and determination of the workers during the Islamabad protest, calling them assets to the party and the true tigers of the ‘PTI’s founder.’ He further stated that the families of ‘workers injured or martyred due to firing’ during the protest will not be left alone. Gandapur added that ‘the release of PTI’s founder will take place soon.’ The worker mentioned that they are still ‘ready to sacrifice anything for the release of Imran Khan.’