Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser has called upon the government to change its behavior and work towards national unity in the country. In a statement issued on Monday, Qaiser said that the country was going through serious crises and that national unity was the need of the hour.
“In our [PTI] tenure, the government evolved a better strategy and succeeded to restore peace [in the country]. Our strategy was in the best interest of the country,” he added.
Regarding the all-parties conference (APC) scheduled for February 9th, Qaiser stated that the government representatives had only verbally invited him to the conference over the phone, which he deemed as inappropriate. He also expressed concern about the government’s unconstitutional behavior, which he feels is hindering national harmony in Pakistan.
However, it was announced on February 3rd that PTI Chairman Imran Khan would not attend the APC, as confirmed by PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar. Despite this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that he had extended an invitation to Khan during an apex committee meeting in Peshawar.
In his statement, the Prime Minister said: “I have also invited the person who does not want to even shake hands with me.” He expressed hope that all parties would attend the APC and apex committee meetings and that the invitation would not be rejected.
In conclusion, Asad Qaiser has called for improved behavior from the government and for a focus on national unity in the face of serious crises. The PTI’s decision to not attend the APC has been met with disappointment from the Prime Minister, who has extended a formal invitation to all parties.
