ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Tuesday came down hard on the government and its allied partners for their ‘apologetic and timid’ statements on the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, insisting that leaders never saluted in submission rather they said “absolutely not”.
In a strongly-worded statement, the opposition party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram asserted that true leadership required courage, clarity, and conviction - not silence in the face of global pressure because leadership was tested in moments of pressure, not comfort.
He questioned why the statements issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari were laden with diplomatic formalities and stopped short of direct condemnation.
He also asked why the PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif failed to mention the United States or Israel, questioning the apparent reluctance to explicitly name those involved.
He also asked why the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto remained silent when directly questioned.
“Is it so difficult to name powerful countries when principles are at stake,” he wondered. He slammed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for offering unconditional support to the government’s position without asserting Pakistan’s independent voice.
“Why is there fear in naming powerful states? Is sovereignty merely a slogan?” he questioned.
He claimed that the nation was being told stories of bravery, yet in practice “we see silence, the people of Pakistan are watching and they understand”.
He reiterated that the PTI stood with the oppressed and against every act of aggression without fear and without compromise.
He also expressed astonishment that, ironically, the PTI had repeatedly been labeled an “Israeli agent” while today, the reality of politics was becoming clearer: who truly speaks with courage, and who chooses silence? The people will ultimately decide, because truth cannot be hidden forever.
Meanwhile, he strongly condemned continued “arbitrary detention” of PTI founder Imran Khan, who had now remained incarcerated for 940 days, including 118 days of complete illegal isolation under deplorable jail conditions.
He stated that the unlawful detention of Bushra Bibi, which had reached 674 days, further reflected the regime’s political victimization and abuse of state power.
He termed the 85 percent vision loss and medical neglect of Imran Khan deeply alarming, demanding his immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital for specialized treatment.
