ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during a media interaction outside Parliament House, questioning the party’s sincerity and negotiation approach.

Asif accused PTI members of lacking sincerity, stating that the negotiators themselves knew negotiations would yield no results. “The PTI is not sincere about anything, or even with its leader,” Khawaja Asif declared. He highlighted that there is no basis for refusing negotiations and referenced Ali Amin Gandapur’s alleged confession about party members being misled.  The minister challenged the PTI’s demand for a judicial commission, arguing that those who have been convicted have already confessed. “What kind of judicial commission do they want formed, as those who have been convicted confessed to their crime?” he added.  Sharing a personal anecdote, Asif mentioned being given only a blanket during his imprisonment, emphasizing that his party’s leadership remained committed to national interests despite facing incarceration. Asif also commented on global social media regulations, noting similar restrictions are implemented in the United States, suggesting the proposed measures are not unusual.