Party general secretary says economic difficulties, poor public services and political repression reflect governance failures
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Salman Akram Raja on Thursday criticized the federal government for what he described as worsening economic conditions, poor governance and the continued detention of party leaders.
Addressing a press conference alongside PTI Lahore president Mian Usman Akram, Raja referred to his recent visit to Kahna in NA-123, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s constituency, where he expressed his condolences to the families of children who lost their lives after the roof of a private educational center collapsed.
He said the incident exposed systemic deficiencies that had left children from disadvantaged 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 the PTI, under the leadership of founder Imran Khan, will continue to speak on behalf of 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 an electorate represented by the prime minister himself. It reflects a system based fundamentally on lies and barbarism,” he said.
Read more: 14 children killed when roof collapses at Lahore school
The PTI leader said that despite the government presenting five federal budgets, economic difficulties remain evident across the country. He said the PTI saw itself not only as a political party but also as a social force that would continue to support people facing financial difficulties.
Referring to a World Bank report, Raja stated that it questioned the federal government’s spending 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 remained without access to quality education.
He said the PTI would strengthen its role as a social force despite what he described as state repression, 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: One child dead and four injured when a wall under construction collapses in Lahore
He also reiterated the PTI’s stance that Imran and Bushra Bibi had been jailed in what he described as an illegal case.
Raja rejected suggestions that the PTI had weakened and said the party remained united and would continue its political struggle.
“We remain firm and will not back down. Victory will be ours and that moment is not far away,” he said.
