Islamabad: Leaders of PTI lambasted coalition government particularly PML-N for “using religion to instil and spread hatred” against party Chief Imran Khan. “PML-N is running an organised and planned campaign to make Imran Khan controversial for people,” former religious affairs minister Noorul Haq Qadri said at a press conference here, alongside fellow PTI leaders Asad Qaiser and Iftikhar Durrani. His comments came hours after PML-N leader Javed Latif in a press conference accused PTI Chief of “attacking basic principles of Islam” by “supporting” Ahmediyya community during his tenure.

“When Imran made Naya Pakistan, units of Qadianis became active in Karachi. Did Imran not give interviews to foreign media in which he said that Qadianis will be given religious freedom,” Latif said.

Condemning Latif’s remarks, Qadri said, “When I joined Imran Khan, it was not just for his political ideology but also his religious ideology,” he said, recalling that policies formed during PTI government’s tenure were proof of his love and respect toward Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Similarly, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said that Latif’s statements were aimed at instigating religious hatred among people. “This is condemnable.” Imran, he said, was currently at height of his popularity. “Today, we are here to tell you that when we were in government and even today, you have seen our work for upholding Islam and Prophet (PBUH),” Qaiser added.

Meanwhile, former federal minister Iftikhar Durrani said that government was violating National Action Plan and Constitution by spreading “religious hatred”. “Today, incumbent government is complicit in this crime through Javed Latif.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 15 2022

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