Miftah Ismail wants Hammad Azhar to acknowledge past wrongdoings of PTI

ISLAMABAD: Former finance minister Miftah Ismail took to the social media platform ‘X’ to criticize Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar for failing to acknowledge the past wrongdoings of his party. Ismail highlighted Azhar’s lack of moral courage in admitting to past political missteps and injustices committed by PTI, especially against PML-N leaders like Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and himself.

“Hammad Bhai, I expected better from you. You know neither I nor Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was guilty of any financial corruption… Yet your leader and party chose to persecute us, and all of you stood silently,” wrote Miftah Ismail in a post on ‘X’.

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“Today your party is under the hammer. Some of which you brought onto yourselves by riding the shoulders of the establishment and curtailing political space for all political actors. And you know it, but won’t admit it,” he added

Miftah Ismail continued by adding that both Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and himself openly assert that the current government is formed on the basis of rigged Form 47s. He said that PTI had acquired more votes, seats, and legitimacy in the elections.

“We have openly said that the people involved in the May 9 attacks must only be prosecuted and not persecuted, cases of under-trial prisoners should be resolved forthwith and that women prisoners, who are entitled to bail under our laws, should be given bail.”

I have ridiculed on tv the Iddat case and the ToshaKhana asset mis-declaration case. But I cannot in good conscience say that deliberate undervaluation of ToshaKhana watches was not corrupt or giving Baharia Town £190 million in exchange for certain gifts was anything but corrupt. I think in your heart you too agree to this.”

“I and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi have raised our voices and told the truth. Have you?” questioned Miftah.

“Do you want a Naya Pakistan? Start with saying the 2014 Dharna was wrong and anti-democratic. Say that kicking out Mian Nawaz Sharif for not taking the Director’s fees was wrong. Say jailing many innocent PMLN and PPP leaders was wrong. Before you give sermons to others about condemning oppression, admit to your part in oppressing others.”

He elaborated further, suggesting that if PTI does not wish for the establishment to interfere in politics, then it should refrain from expressing the intention to exclusively engage with them. Ismail stressed the importance of viewing political parties as adversaries rather than enemies. He said that attempting to undermine their legitimacy ultimately diminishes one’s own political standing.

“Peaceful protests are your right. Absolutely; but you guys are no longer the ladlas. Others have taken that spot. So engage in peaceful protests and don’t think you can now get away with what you could in the past.”

He added, “Yours is by far the biggest political party in Pakistan. Keep looking only to the people of Pakistan. Don’t look for shortcuts again. Power can come and go. But honour once lost cannot be regained.