Party secretary general says economic hardship, poor public services, political repression reflect governance failures
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Thursday criticised the federal government over what he described as worsening economic conditions, poor governance and the continued detention of the party’s leadership.
Speaking at a press conference alongside PTI Lahore President Mian Usman Akram, Raja referred to his recent visit to Kahna in NA-123, the constituency of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he extended condolences to the families of children who lost their lives after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed.
He said the incident exposed systemic shortcomings that had left children from underprivileged families without adequate access to education and healthcare.
“The tragic loss of 14 young lives in their pursuit of education reflects the dark reality of this system,” Raja said, adding that PTI, under the leadership of founder Imran Khan, would continue to speak for disadvantaged communities inside and outside Parliament.
Describing conditions in the area, Raja said residents were living amid deteriorating infrastructure, including damaged roads.
“This is the reality of a constituency represented by the prime minister himself. It reflects a system fundamentally based on lies and barbarity,” he said.
Read More: 14 children dead as roof of Lahore tuition centre collapses
The PTI leader said that despite the government presenting five federal budgets, economic hardship remained evident across the country. He said PTI viewed itself not only as a political party but also as a social force that would continue to stand with people facing financial difficulties.
Referring to a World Bank report, Raja claimed it questioned federal government expenditure and alleged that appointments had been made in departments that were expected to be abolished. He said expectations of reducing federal spending after the 18th Amendment had not been met.
Raja also said that around 40% of children in Pakistan were out of school, while many of those enrolled continued to lack access to quality education.
He said PTI would strengthen its role as a social force despite what he described as state crackdowns, adding that the party would continue its political activities.
Commenting on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Raja alleged that residents were facing oppression, internet services had been suspended and multiple deaths had occurred.
Also Read: Child killed, four injured as under-construction wall collapses in Lahore
He also reiterated PTI’s stance that Imran and Bushra Bibi had been imprisoned in what he described as an unlawful case.
Rejecting suggestions that PTI had been weakened, Raja said the party remained united and would continue its political struggle.
“We are standing firm and will not retreat. Victory will be ours, and that time is not far off,” he said.
