Blames Afridi’s ‘stubbornness and ego’ for the breakdown, while accusing PTI of failing to confront terrorism in K-P
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon addresses a press conference in Karachi. SCREENGRAB
KARACHI:
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon on Thursday accused Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of “sabotaging” negotiations between the government and opposition in Islamabad due to his “stubbornness and ego”, saying the talks had been moving towards a solution before they broke down.
His remarks came a day after Afridi accused the PPP of attempting to create “another East Pakistan” during a meeting of the K-P cabinet, alleging that the party had previously placed personal interests ahead of national interests. The chief minister also criticised Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who belongs to PPP, for chairing a security meeting, calling it “an attack on the Constitution and democracy” and warning that his government would not allow any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s unity.
“The talks that happened in Islamabad were result-oriented. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were part of it, and we were going towards a solution,” Memon said at a press conference in Karachi.
He said the K-P chief minister had “sabotaged” the talks due to his “stubbornness and ego”. “I understand that the reason was that, to look good in Imran Khan’s eyes, he was doing all of this,” he added.
“Talks were going well. The drafts of the agreement had almost been prepared. Some channels even reported that the agreement had been signed and that everything had been settled,” Memon said, while responding to a question.
He claimed that Afridi had acted in a manner aimed at protecting his position before the PTI leadership. “Afridi acted to save his own position before the PTI leadership. The consequences of this are being suffered by PTI and the innocent people of K-P,” he said.
Memon further said PPP had wanted political engagement with PTI and was willing to debate the issue of terrorism on any forum. “I am telling them to come to their senses. Even today there are sensible people in PTI; Gohar, their chairman, and Asad Qaiser,” he added, urging them to come forward and give a “shut-up call” to those promoting a confrontational approach.
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He further said political parties should remain within the political process rather than resort to confrontation or violence, urging senior PTI leaders to rein in such voices. “We want political parties to keep doing their work and have space and continue with a political mindset. Not to pick up weapons and do such hooliganism,” he added.
Memon stated that PPP had not responded to Afridi’s earlier statements but would defend its leadership after the K-P chief minister targeted the party. “PPP will not engage with PTI. But if PTI wants to and launches a baseless smear campaign, then PPP will defend its leaders and show PTI the mirror,” he said.
Asked whether the PPP was prepared for the possibility of governor’s rule or an emergency being imposed in K-P, particularly amid the threat of terrorism and the possibility of PTI protests, Memon said the matter should not be viewed as an issue concerning his party alone. “This is not merely a matter for the People’s Party. It is an issue for every Pakistani, especially my Pashtun brothers and sisters,” he said.
Memon compared the situation in K-P with Karachi’s past experience of terrorism and prolonged strikes, saying around 70% of the province was currently facing a similar situation on a daily basis.
He questioned whether restoring peace should not be the provincial government’s foremost priority. “Political disputes, protests and long marches can continue later but the immediate focus should be on protecting the lives of citizens,” he said.
He said K-P was facing a serious security crisis, with members of the armed forces, police and Frontier Corps, as well as civilians and political workers, being targeted and killed. “Your priority should be to sit down and provide peace to the people and secure their lives. Should the priority be sit-ins and long marches?” he asked.
Turning to the security situation in K-P, Memon said five of the province’s seven divisions were “completely in the grip of terrorism”. “Talibanisation’s biggest headquarters has almost been established in K-P, and its targets are innocent, poor Pashtun brothers and sisters,” he said.
He pointed to the threats facing police personnel and the deterioration of the security situation after dark, attributing it to what he described as “the provincial government’s failure”.
Memon also criticised PTI founder Imran Khan’s past position on negotiations with the Taliban, saying Khan had advocated dialogue with the militant group and the opening of Taliban offices.
He recalled the PPP government’s response to terrorism after the 2008 elections, saying hundreds of thousands of people had been displaced and later resettled. “Before the 2008 elections, in Benazir’s last speech in Rawalpindi, what did she say? She said that we would wave the Pakistani flag in Swat,” he said.
“When the PPP government came in 2008, President Zardari carried out a historic crackdown against terrorists. 800,000 people were displaced. They moved to Karachi, and during the PPP’s time they were resettled,” Memon said. “Those who level accusations against PPP do not see that this entire operation against terrorists was carried out by PPP,” he added.
The minister also accused the PTI government in K-P of providing official funding to seminaries and networks he said were involved in terrorism.
“You Google it — the K-P government that was PTI’s government gave funding to the madrassas and terrorists,” he claimed. “Through official accounts, the K-P government gave government money to madrassas that were helping terrorism.” “Those networks that were part of terrorism were being officially funded,” he added.
He questioned why terrorists had targeted rallies held by PPP and other political parties but not PTI rallies. “Why was this?” he asked. He linked it to what he described as the party’s support for the Taliban.
“If your narrative is such that those people who are doing terrorism, you support them, become their spokesperson, they will say that they are our spokespersons, so they will not touch you,” he said.
Memon also cited the Bannu jailbreak during the PTI government and the Army Public School attack, accusing PTI of failing to take a strong position against the Taliban. “In the PTI government, the Bannu jailbreak happened. In double-cabin vehicles, terrorists came under the disguise of a rally and procession, carried out a jailbreak and took away terrorists, and PTI remained silent,” he said.
“Where they have their government, where their writ extends, have they ever said a word for the end of terrorism? Did they ever raise their voice for that? Did they ever hold a press conference against the Taliban?” he asked. He added that PPP had itself suffered heavily from terrorism and maintained that political parties should focus on restoring peace.
Memon also warned that the political conduct being displayed by the K-P government was setting a bad precedent and urged PTI to “come to its senses” and adopt a more sensible approach.
“There are serious people within PTI. I have mentioned their chairman, Gohar and Asad Qaiser. These are serious people. They should make the decisions rather than handing decision-making authority to a young man who could lead things towards some unfortunate incident,” Memon said.
Responding to a question about whether the federal government and PPP leadership had ruled out governor’s rule or an emergency in K-P, Memon said his party had consistently sought political space for PTI in the province. “If you yourself are moving into a circle of self-destruction, who can help you?” he asked.
Memon said PPP wanted Pakistan’s political system and parliament to remain strong and wanted all political parties to retain their political space. “I believe PTI is pushing itself into a dead end, which will become a major problem for them,” he concluded.
