Former Punjab governor and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member, Sardar Latif Khosa, decried the current political landscape, describing it as akin to a ‘fascist dictatorship’ on Monday.
In his statement to the media at Lahore High Court (LHC), he expressed concerns about the perceived delay in elections, attributing this to public disillusionment with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). He said, “The future of PDM seems apparent if elections were to be conducted today.”
Khosa, painting a bleak picture of the current regime, stated, “Such governments only maintain their rule through oppression. I have never witnessed such a dark period in all my years.” He questioned the image Pakistan is projecting globally through this political situation.
The former governor criticized the arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. He disapproved of the absence of dialogue with former prime minister Imran Khan, suggesting that it led the country towards a state of ruin.
In response to a question about the PPP’s stance on welcoming those distancing themselves from the PTI, Khosa said, “No, not at all. This shifting of party loyalties has been the downfall of our political culture.”
He also clarified that he doesn’t endorse trials by military courts as they lack ethical and constitutional credibility.
Regarding the issue of missing journalists, Khosa brought up the murder of Arshad Sharif, expressing his distress at the safety risks faced by journalists in Pakistan.
These comments from Khosa follow a time of political tension when Imran Khan’s call for dialogue was met with silence. High-ranking members of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, have made it clear that negotiation with Imran Khan is off the table due to his purported collusion with foreign forces against the military.
Read: https://photonews.com.pk/dialogue-with-imran-khan-pakistani-ministers-draw-a-hard-line/
This came after violence on May 9, sparked by Imran Khan’s arrest on corruption charges. Rioters targeted various government buildings, including military facilities. The government has since instigated a rigorous crackdown against the PTI leadership and others purportedly involved in the destruction and public disturbance. It has been announced that those involved in the protests will face trial under the Army Act in military courts.
