Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Monday strongly criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for using derogatory and uncivilized language, and described his visit as pointless, aimed only at enjoyment, and marked by unethical speeches.
Speaking to a local media channel, Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that during PTI’s visit to Lahore, its leadership only enjoyed official protocol and did nothing in the public interest.
She stated that the visit was not meant to address public issues but was merely for personal enjoyment and political showmanship. She strongly criticized the PTI leadership for using derogatory and hateful language in their speeches, calling it unacceptable.
Azma Bokhari said such rhetoric further fueled political tension in the country and expressed regret over what she described as the deteriorating mental and political approach of PTI leaders.
Responding to a query about PTI’s entry into the Punjab Assembly, she made it clear that they failed to observe parliamentary decorum. She said no list of permitted individuals was submitted in advance, yet PTI members blatantly violated the rules, sparked unrest, and resorted to disorderly conduct, stressing that such behavior and violence were completely unacceptable and would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Responding to another query, she said the Punjab government was not afraid and wanted local government elections to be held as soon as possible.
She added that PTI would then witness its real position, stating that the party’s tall claims would be exposed through these elections and would reveal its true strength.
In her concluding remarks, she said it was shameful that Sohail Afridi enjoyed full protocol and security yet used uncivilized language in his speeches.
She added that PTI could no longer be called a political party, accusing it of seeking relief through backdoor tactics rather than believing in dialogue or democratic engagement.
Addressing a press conference at the old building of the Punjab Assembly on Monday, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad said that the sanctity of the house would not be compromised under any circumstances.
The speaker said that the leader of the opposition had informed him about the intention of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister visit to the Punjab Assembly, which he welcomed and approved in principle. However, he clarified that submission of a complete list of guests along with valid national identity cards was mandatory for entry to the Assembly, as the Punjab Assembly was a sensitive institution located within the Red Zone.
Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated that unfortunately, individuals whose names were not included in the guest list were brought to the Assembly and some of them had a past record of involvement in riots, arson and damage to public property.
He said that in such circumstances, law enforcement agencies were compelled to intervene and such conduct could not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He added that an inquiry committee had been constituted to investigate the incident of violence and disorder in the Punjab Assembly, and its report would be forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further action.
He stated that the first violation occurred at the entry gate of the Assembly, where rules were blatantly breached.
He reiterated that the Punjab Assembly was not an ordinary place where anyone could enter without authorization. He further said that acts of violence, vandalism, abuse and disorder could not be justified as political rights.