Prominent lawyer and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has voiced strong criticism of the current political and legal situation, asserting that Pakistan’s governance system has become dysfunctional.
Speaking in the Samaa TV show, 'Nadeem Malik Live', Raja said: "I feel our entire system has gone haywire."
He also highlighted the plight of incarcerated PTI leaders and stressed the need for adherence to constitutional and legal principles.
"We are saying that hundreds of people, including prominent leaders like Yasmin Rashid, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Ijaz Chaudhry, have been arrested and should be released," he said. He emphasised that if there is non-compliance with constitutional and legal requirements, the negotiations serve no purpose.
Raja underscored that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is not pursuing power, but fighting a battle for the country’s principles. He criticised the lack of progress in talks with the government, which he attributed to restrictions on meeting PTI founder Imran Khan.
“A meeting with the PTI founder should be held in an open environment,” Raja stated, questioning the government’s reluctance to allow such interactions. “If the meeting with the PTI founder is not held, the talks with the government will not move forward.”
Raja revealed that during negotiations, the government side suggested meeting the party founder daily, yet the requested meetings have not materialised. He also condemned the government's lack of direction, stating, “The government has gone haywire; they have no basis.”
The lawyer reaffirmed the PTI’s determination to stand firm on key issues, including the events of November 26, and ruled out any willingness to submit written demands or agreements to the government. "What written agreement should we make with the government?" he asked rhetorically, stressing that the party remains resolute in its demands for justice and transparency.
Raja further questioned that if the government members of the negotiation committee could consult the prime minister, why could the PTI side not meet the party founder?
Raja concluded by calling for respect and recognition of the PTI founder as the most senior political prisoner in the country. “The founder of PTI will be the last one to come out of jail,” he stated.
