Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that PTI founder Imran Khan’s behaviour during his tenure was not ideal, but the current government’s policies have made people forget his past conduct.

“This government has turned the PTI founder into an angel,” he remarked.

Speaking on “Insight with Aamir Zia” on Aaj News, the Awam Pakistan Party chief said that his party had booked a hall for a two-day conference, but upon arrival, they found security personnel outside and the entrance locked.

“We were informed that the information minister had granted permission,” he said, questioning the government’s actions.

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Abbasi further criticised the government, stating that it lacks a legitimate mandate.

“They are afraid of even mentioning the Constitution. We were not holding a rally — this was a conference. Over the past year, neither the government nor the opposition has performed its duties. We want the opposition to fulfill its constitutional role,” he asserted.

He reiterated that his party stands for constitutional supremacy and the rule of law.

“The current government has erased memories of the PTI founder’s past behavior. They have, in effect, turned him into an angel,” he said.

Abbasi also claimed that elections were rigged, leading to the current government’s insecurity. “They fear everything — even the Constitution. Our conference was about the rule of law, but they panicked over a simple discussion involving 20 to 30 people around a table.”

“The government has a problem with its own conscience. Those who come to power through fraud are haunted by guilt,” he remarked.

Abbasi asserted that his conference was successful and that all participants agreed on the declaration.

“Had Maulana Fazlur Rehman been in the country, he would have joined us,” he added.

Shazia Marri calls for fair governance

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Marri, speaking on the same program, noted that electoral disputes have always led to protests in Pakistan.

However, she pointed out that the PPP has never sought to disrupt the system.

The PPP’s central information secretary emphasised that her party has always protested within the constitutional framework.

“The government’s main concern revolves around just one imprisoned individual. The current situation is far from ideal, and restricting opposition activities is not the right approach. PML-N should not impose the same restrictions on PTI that PTI once imposed on others,” she said.

Marri urged the ruling party to learn from history.

“PML-N should avoid the mistakes made by PTI. PPP never made excessive demands from them. If provinces are not strong, the federation cannot be strong either,” she concluded.