PTI Rally in Peshawar Nothing but Abuse: Talal Chaudhry

Islamabad: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry delivered a strongly worded speech on Monday, criticizing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership and defending the country’s institutions, particularly the armed forces.

Speaking about the recent PTI rally in Peshawar, Talal Chaudhry said the public had clearly witnessed the condition and behavior of the party’s leadership. He remarked that the rally consisted of “nothing but verbal abuse and baseless criticism,” adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — already a province struggling with numerous challenges — had received no constructive message from the event.

Talal Chaudhry strongly condemned the criticism directed at the Pakistan Army, saying the institution that has “defeated the enemy in the battle of truth” was being unjustly targeted. He added that PTI’s founder routinely used his social media platform to attack Pakistan’s institutions on a daily basis.

He further alleged that the PTI founder “never spoke badly about Israel or India,” nor did he speak in favor of Pakistan’s martyrs. Instead, Chaudhry said, the party had developed a habit of consistently criticizing national institutions while ignoring the sacrifices made by the country’s security forces.

Questioning how long such criticism would continue unchecked, the minister said that the remarks made by PTI leaders were “not even worthy of a response,” adding that their political status was no greater than the “lions of Bani Gala.” He also accused PTI members of disrespecting women and lacking regard even for basic decorum.

Chaudhry claimed that PTI leaders were attempting to regain power “by sitting on the shoulders of the people,” but insisted that a “mentally unstable individual” could neither speak in favor of Pakistan nor bring benefit to the country. He added that if PTI’s founder could not win an election in Joharipur, he should explain how he expected to contest in Lahore or Faisalabad.

The minister said the law would soon demonstrate its full authority and warned that what he called “magicians” within the PTI would be shown how accountability works. He also alleged that PTI leaders in Adiala Jail were becoming a threat to other prisoners.

Talal Chaudhry questioned why PTI never criticizes terrorists or raises its voice for the country’s martyrs. He said the party’s selective outrage clearly exposed its priorities and intentions.