Shaukat Yousafzai says PPP appears to have made a major compromise

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai has claimed that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) appears to have made a “major compromise” following its recent statements and press conferences.

PESHAWAR, October 8: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai has claimed that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) appears to have made a “major compromise” following its recent statements and press conferences.

In a statement, Yousafzai said the PPP had been holding press conferences for the past two days giving the impression that the party had reached an understanding on important political matters. He alleged that the party’s recent position had exposed what he described as a contradiction between its democratic claims and its political actions.

Yousafzai said PTI’s primary political dispute remained with the federal government. He also criticized PPP leaders for distancing themselves from the federal government while according to him continuing to defend or support positions associated with it.

The PTI leader further questioned PPP’s criticism of corruption and referred to previous allegations made by Interior Adviser Rana Sanaullah against PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Yousafzai called on the PPP leadership to respond to those allegations.

Discussing governance and development he also raised questions about the Karachi Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and its financing using it to criticize the performance of governments associated with the PPP.

Yousafzai further accused the PPP of becoming a hereditary political party and claimed that this had weakened its political position in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These remarks represent his political assessment of the party’s standing.

On the issue of terrorism Yousafzai said militancy had been a challenge for around 25 years and argued that provincial police forces should continue playing their role in combating terrorism. He said police personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were continuing to suffer casualties in the fight against militants.

The PTI leader also praised Sohail Afridi saying he had reached his current political position through his own efforts and political struggle.

Yousafzai added that negotiations could still take place if both sides showed flexibility.