PTI criticises government over economy, governance and leaders’ detention

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Thursday stepped up criticism of the federal government, linking what he called worsening economic conditions and governance failures to the continued imprisonment of the party’s senior leadership.

Addressing a press conference alongside PTI Lahore President Mian Usman Akram, Raja referred to his recent visit to Kahna in NA-123, the constituency represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he said he offered condolences to families of children killed in the collapse of the roof of a private tuition centre. He said the tragedy highlighted deeper structural failings that had left children from poorer households without proper access to education and health services.

Speaking about the incident, Raja said “The tragic loss of 14 young lives in their pursuit of education reflects the dark reality of this system”.

He added that PTI, under party founder Imran Khan, would continue to raise the concerns of disadvantaged communities both inside and outside parliament. Describing conditions in the area, he said residents were dealing with failing infrastructure, including broken roads. Raja said the condition of the locality reflected badly on a constituency represented by the prime minister and argued that it showed fundamental weaknesses in the prevailing system.

Economic criticism and social concerns

Raja said that despite the presentation of five federal budgets by the government, economic strain was still visible across the country. He said PTI saw itself not only as a political party but also as a social force that would continue to stand with people facing financial hardship.

Referring to a World Bank report, Raja claimed it had raised questions over federal spending and alleged that appointments were made in departments that were supposed to have been abolished. He also said expectations that federal expenditures would decline after the 18th Amendment had not been fulfilled.

The PTI leader further said that around 40% of children in Pakistan were out of school, while many of those enrolled were still not receiving quality education. He said the party would continue expanding its role as a social force despite what he described as state crackdowns, and added that PTI would carry on with its political activities.

Remarks on AJK and jailed PTI leaders

Commenting on Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Raja alleged that people there were facing oppression, that internet services had been suspended and that several deaths had occurred.

He also repeated PTI’s position that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been jailed in what he described as an unlawful case. Rejecting the impression that PTI had been weakened, Raja said the party remained united and would persist with its political struggle.

In his concluding remarks, Raja said “We are standing firm and will not retreat. Victory will be ours, and that time is not far off”.