Leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday called for political dialogue and voiced concern over the regional situation in the Middle East during a press conference held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House.
Addressing the media, PTI Central Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the world was witnessing an extraordinary situation in the Middle East and described the developments in the region as alarming.
He said talks reportedly underway in Oman had been close to reaching a conclusion but were disrupted, adding that Pakistan should play a constructive role in efforts aimed at restoring stability. He noted that Pakistan, being a nuclear power, should act responsibly in the prevailing circumstances.
Raja also criticised the domestic political environment, alleging that institutions and the public were being pitted against each other and that the country was facing political instability due to misinformation. He claimed that an “imposed government” was ruling the country and urged stakeholders to avoid repeating past mistakes.
He further said that recent court decisions had resulted in individuals being sentenced in their absence, adding that cumulative sentences had reached 50 years in some cases. Raja emphasised that damage to property in Arab or other countries should be avoided and stressed that all political forces should sit together to resolve national issues through dialogue.
Referring to economic challenges, he criticised the recent increase in petroleum prices, claiming that petrol had been raised by Rs55 per litre and warning that it could signal further economic pressure on citizens. He also accused the country’s elite of maintaining extravagant expenditures instead of adopting austerity measures.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said recent developments in the Middle East had raised serious concerns about international law and regional stability. He criticised global powers over their role in the region and alleged that attacks on civilian targets, including educational institutions in Iran, were unacceptable.
He further called for immediate steps to prevent escalation of conflict in the region and urged that diplomatic efforts be made to stop the war.