Party general secretary says economic woes, poor public services and political repression reflect failures of governance
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Thursday criticized the federal government for what he described as deteriorating economic conditions, poor governance and continued detention of party leaders.
Speaking at a press conference alongside PTI Lahore Chairman Mian Usman Akram, Raja recalled his recent visit to Kahna in NA-123, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s constituency, where he offered condolences to the families of children who lost their lives after the roof of a private tuition center collapsed.
He said the incident exposed systemic failings that left children from disadvantaged families without adequate access to education and health care.
“The tragic loss of 14 young lives in their quest for education reflects the grim reality of this system,” Raja said, adding that the PTI, under the leadership of its founder Imran Khan, would continue to speak for the underprivileged communities within 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 barbarism,” he said.
Learn more: 14 children dead in Lahore school center roof collapse
The PTI chief said that despite the government presenting five federal budgets, economic woes remained 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 stand with people facing financial difficulties.
Referring to a World Bank report, Raja said it questioned the federal government’s spending and that appointments had been made in departments that needed to be abolished. He said expectations for federal spending cuts after the 18th Amendment had not been met.
Raja also said that around 40% of children in Pakistan were out of school, while a large number of those who were enrolled still did not have 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 said that people were facing oppression, internet services had been suspended and many deaths had taken place.
Read also: Child killed, four injured as wall under construction collapses in Lahore
He also reiterated the PTI’s position that Imran and Bushra Bibi had been jailed in what he described as an illegal case.
Dismissing suggestions that the PTI had been weakened, Raja said the party remained united and would continue its political struggle.
“We stand firm and will not back down. Victory will be ours, and that moment is not far away,” he said.
