Uzma Bukhari accuses PTI of hindering Pakistan’s “development

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Uzma Bukhari accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of hindering the “development” and “progress” of Pakistan on Saturday.

In her latest statements, the provincial Minister for Information and Culture for Punjab referenced PTI’s ‘history’ of protests; in particular, she cited the major sit-in organised by the party in 2014.

Read more: Karachi airport attack orchestrated with help of foreign spy agency: CTD report

Bukhari talked about the importance of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. She noted that world leaders were expected to attend the 23rd SCO summit. “The conference marks a significant occasion for Pakistan after many years”, she stated.

The provincial minister criticised the PTI, claiming “there is a political party whose sole purpose appears to be spreading chaos and division”.

Uzma Bukhari went on to state that the PTI has effectively declared a ‘conflict’ against the state. “This formal declaration will be made as it should be”.

The PML-N member claimed that the people of Punjab have ‘rejected’ the PTI’s call for the protest. “They have kept their own MNAs and Senators in custody”. She also accused the party of “kidnapping their people and keeping them away from their families”, and that “this party can go to any extent to fulfil its agenda”.

She called on the state institutions to ‘take notice’ of this. “If people don’t want to join the PTI, will you kidnap them?” Bukhari further claimed that PTI had “crossed the red line yesterday”, and noted that “Islamabad has been beautifully decorated on the occasion of SCO”.

The PML-N member mentioned on-going development projects, as well. “Public projects are being worked on in Punjab”, while accusing the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur of using provincial resources ‘against’ federal government. “Their purpose is that capital does not come into the country and the country does not develop!”

Read more: No respite in dog bite incidents in Gilgit as culling fails to curb attacks

She stated that a Saudi delegation wants to initiate projects worth billions of dollars. “They want to start a riot in the country so that the projects are not started”.

“Pakistanis have to decide that they stand with development and prosperity”.