ISLAMABAD:
Senator Faisal Vawda has called on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to address its internal contradictions, urging the former ruling party to get its act together, especially on its back-and-forth on regime change narrative and dealings with the establishment. Vawda called out PTI’s U-turns, recalling how it once demonized former army chief Gen (rtd) Qamar Javed Bajwa for allegedly dethroning it, only to cosy up to him later and offer an extension.
“According to PTI, Bajwa was a villain for overthrowing its regime. So, was Bajwa sahib right now or just plain wrong then?” he quipped while talking to a private news channel. Vawda questioned PTI’s current willingness to engage with the army, despite previously condemning the regime under which they operate.
“Are they good today when they were bad before?” he asked. Reflecting on PTI’s history of protests and dharnas, Vawda lamented the sacrifices made by individuals like Arshad Sharif and implied that such turmoil stemmed from PTI’s efforts to manipulate military appointments to their advantage.
He pointed out the futility of seeking shortcuts through murky dealings with the military, asserting that negotiations and quick fixes with the establishment were no longer on the table.
Vawda warned PTI against employing tactics that had led them into their current predicament, urging the party to steer clear of further entanglements. Regarding PTI’s stance on government negotiations, Vawda predicted that PTI’s pretense of not negotiating with the government will eventually fade away and it would eventually enter into talks with the government.
He also urged PTI to shift away from confrontational politics and hooliganism, urging the party to uphold its popularity without resorting to destructive measures.
“The PTI may be popular, but does that justify setting the entire nation ablaze?” he questioned.”The party must decide whether it will continue down the path of confrontation and hooliganism or opt for a more mature approach,” he asserted.
