Azma Bokhari accuses PTI of playing "Pashtun card"

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has strongly condemned the alleged use of the "Pashtun card" by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf following the failure of recent "rebellions," calling it an exploitative move.

In a statement, she criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government's refusal to attend the All Parties Conference aimed at ensuring peace in KP and Kurram.

She said it was shameful for a party that has been in power in KP for 12 years to show such disregard for peace.

"After exhausting all other tactics, they are now misusing ethnic narratives, exploiting Pashtun youth for their malicious agendas."

She emphasized that Ali Amin should have united all stakeholders to establish peace in the province rather than focusing on Islamabad protests initiated on a prisoner's call.

She also pointed out the worsening law and order situation in KP, saying, "Incidents of terrorism in Kurram, Khyber, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan are on the rise, while security forces continue to sacrifice their lives for national defense."

Bokhari urged Ali Amin to either step up for the province's people or resign, as his continued leadership bodes no good for the Pashtun community.

Earlier, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur in a letter to PM urged him to stop alleged victimisation of Pashtuns.