Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has sharply criticized Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) party to call for protests on the days of crucial Champions Trophy matches and accuses them of trying to isolate Pakistan on the Cricket field.
In a statement sent on social media platform X, Asif pointed out that PTI had requested a permit for a demonstration in Lahore on February 8, the same day as the first match of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand, part of Champions Trophy Preparations.
He also noted that PTI had also called for a long march on February 19, the day of Pakistan’s first Champions Trophy match.
Asif described these actions as an attempt to sabotage Pakistan’s participation in Champions Trophy and called it an “anti-national” effort to shame the country on the international scene.
“This is an effort to strip Pakistan from his Champions Trophy matches,” he said, adding that the motive was to bother the country at the sporting arena.
He also criticized PTI’s leader, Imran Khan, apparently putting his political ambitions ahead of national interests and adding that his actions were so extreme that even his supporters might not have expected them.
