Pakistan’s main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has denied any involvement in the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of its leader Imran Khan. The PTI dismissed the army’s statement, which blamed the party for the unrest, as “contrary to facts” and “based on a poor understanding of ground realities.” In a statement shared on Twitter, the PTI emphasized its commitment to achieving its goals through peaceful means and adhering to the Constitution.
The PTI’s statement came in response to a statement by the army, which accused the party of using violent means to achieve its political goals. The army’s statement condemned the protests and warned of “strict action” against those responsible for the violence.
The PTI rejected the army’s claims and said that the public reaction to Imran Khan’s arrest was due to a variety of factors. The party said that it had always discouraged deviance from the Constitution and the law and that it was committed to peaceful and non-violent means of achieving its goals.
“The statement is a sad collection of hatred and revenge-based narratives against the most reliable, popular, and largest political party of Pakistan,” the PTI said.
The arrest of Imran Khan came after he refused to appear in court in connection with a defamation case filed against him by a political rival. The PTI had called for protests to demand Khan’s release, and the situation quickly escalated into violence.
The army’s statement was widely criticized by opposition parties and civil society groups, who accused the military of interfering in politics and taking sides. The army has denied the allegations, saying that it is committed to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
The PTI’s denial of involvement in the violence is likely to further fuel tensions between the party and the military. The PTI has been a vocal critic of the military’s role in politics and has accused the army of trying to manipulate the outcome of elections.
The situation in Pakistan remains tense, with opposition parties calling for Imran Khan’s release and the military warning of strict action against those responsible for the violence. The government has urged all parties to remain calm and has promised to take action against those responsible for the unrest. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be successful in diffusing the situation.
