ISLAMABAD: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of a main party in the ruling coalition, on Friday criticized “foreign interference” in Pakistan’s politics, saying that its real target was the South Asian country’s nuclear program.
Bhutto-Zardari’s statement came days after US President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy nominee Richard Grenell urged President Joe Biden’s administration to use its last days in power to push for former prime minister Imran Khan’s release from prison so he could run for office in Pakistan.
Grenell has been in the news in Pakistan in recent weeks over social media posts calling for the release of Khan. His comments came more than a week after the US State Department imposed sanctions on four entities related to nuclear-armed Pakistan’s long-range ballistic-missile program, including on the state-owned defense agency that oversees the program.
Speaking at his Pakistan Peoples Party rally in Larkana, Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan was currently facing internal issues, economic crisis and a surge in militancy as well as several difficulties on the external front, which required unity of all political stakeholders.
“No one is worried about Pakistan’s democracy, human rights or about a prisoner in Pakistan,” he said, without naming anyone.
“Imran [Khan] is only an excuse, but the target is Pakistan’s atomic program.”
Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan’s opponents were looking at the country’s nuclear capability with an “evil eye.”
“They wish that no Muslim country should have such [nuclear] power and they are trying to deprive you of this power some way or the other,” he said.
“As long as the Pakistan Peoples Party is there, we will not let anyone make a compromise on our atomic power.”
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch declined to comment on Grenell’s statement, while Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif this week alleged that Western voices backed by Israel were demanding Khan’s release from prison as part of an “anti-Pakistan campaign.”
Pakistan has been gripped by political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He blames his removal from the PM’s office on his political rivals led by PM Shehbaz Sharif and the all-powerful military. Both reject the charge.
Khan has been in jail since August last year on a slew of cases he says are politically motivated to keep him away from power.
Head of coalition party slams ‘foreign interference’ in Pakistani politics, vows to defend nuclear program
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Head of coalition party slams ‘foreign interference’ in Pakistani politics, vows to defend nuclear program
- Bhutto-Zardari’s statement comes days after the US imposed sanctions on entities related to nuclear-armed Pakistan’s missile program
- It also follows Trump nominee Richard Grenell’s call for the US administration to push for ex-PM Imran Khan’s release from Pakistan jail
Pakistan assembly speaker warns opposition against anti-state remarks in parliament
- Ayaz Sadiq says criticism of judiciary and armed forces will not be allowed on assembly floor
- He calls violence during protests unacceptable, vows neutrality as National Assembly speaker
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Saturday that opposition lawmakers would not be allowed to speak against Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces on the floor of parliament, calling such remarks unacceptable.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the eastern city of Lahore, Sadiq said parliamentary debate must remain within constitutional and legal limits, while reiterating his commitment to act impartially as speaker.
“No one will be allowed to speak against Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces on the floor of the National Assembly,” Sadiq said. “Negative or controversial remarks about judges or the armed forces are unacceptable.”
His comments come amid heightened political tensions after opposition groups held protests in the past, criticizing state institutions and targeting government and military properties.
The speaker said peaceful protest was a democratic right but drew a sharp line at violence and vandalism.
“Protest is the right of every citizen in a democratic society, but it must remain peaceful and within the bounds of the constitution and the law,” he continued, adding that arson, damage to property and the use of sticks or weapons in the name of protest were “unacceptable” and posed a threat to the rule of law.
“No opposition lawmaker will be allowed to speak on the National Assembly floor if they speak against Pakistan,” Sadiq said.
The speaker also noted the country’s economic indicators were gradually improving, citing an increase in foreign exchange reserves, and said Pakistan had further strengthened relations with countries including the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
