Bilawal Bhutto Zardari seems not to be impressed with Prime Minister’s efforts for Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech, which highlighted the escalating humanitarian crisis in Kashmir at the UN General Assembly, received a mixed reception from the opposition leaders.
Shahbaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Sunday, warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that on the issue of Kashmir, the government of Pakistan and the opposition stands united.
PML-N United with PTI on Kashmir
Sharing the stance of the PLM-N leadership, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif assured the Imran Khan-led government of his party’s unconditional support on the issue of occupied Kashmir’s right to self-determination.
The PML-N President said, “When it comes to Occupied Kashmir, we, the government and Opposition, are united like a rock, and unwavering in our moral, diplomatic and political support to the oppressed Kashmiris. Mr. Modi must make no mistake about it!”
When it comes to Occupied Kashmir, we, the government and Opposition, are united like a rock, and unwavering in our moral, diplomatic and political support to the oppressed Kashmiris. Mr. Modi must make no mistake about it!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 29, 2019
Praising the achievements of the Pakistan Army, Shahbaz Sharif tweeted, “Pakistan’s contributions to world peace are well-documented. We have been one of the largest troop contributors to the UN peacekeeping missions.”
The PML-N President warned the international community against the fascist ideologies spearheaded by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, “Our armed forces have fought valiantly against terrorists. We are a responsible nuclear state. The world must beware of fascist Modi.”
Pakistan's contributions to world peace are well-documented. We have been one of the largest troop contributors to the UN peacekeeping missions. Our armed forces have fought valiantly against terrorists. We are a responsible nuclear state. The world must beware of fascist Modi.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 29, 2019
The Leader of the Opposition also seized the moment to record his criticism over the economic policies launched by the Imran Khan regime. He said, “Under IK, the economy has tanked. Markets have been denuded of confidence. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs. Work on CPEC projects has slowed if not stalled. It’s failed governance.”
He added, “In today’s world, countries protect their FP interests through internal consolidation.”
Under IK, economy has tanked. Markets have been denuded of confidence. Hundreds of thousands of ppl have lost their jobs. Work on CPEC projects has slowed if not stalled. It’s failed governance.
In today’s world, countries protect their FP interests through internal consolidation— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 29, 2019
Shahbaz Sharif’s sensible and measured statements extending support to the ruling PTI-led government have garnered approval from analysts, opinion makers, former diplomats and the people across the country.
Well said, Mr. Sharif. Please put some sense through the thick heads of Maryam Safdar & Bilawal Zardari and the beneficiaries of both! 😎#WelomeHomePMIK #ImranKhanMakesHistory at #UNGA 😍
— Maleeha Hashmey (@MaleehaHashmey) September 29, 2019
Zafar Hilaly, a former diplomat and senior analyst, praised Shahbaz’s political acumen and observed that his brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was ill-suited for the Prime Ministerial office.
He said, “Shahbaz was always the more sensible of the two and here’s another reason why. Besides, stubborn, spoilt with a low IQ Nawaz was never suited for the job of PM. He was also the more vindictive, spoilt and arrogant. Alas, too late now for a role reversal.”
Shahbaz was always the more sensible of the two and here’s another reason why. Besides, stubborn, spoilt with a low IQ Nawaz was never suited for the job of PM. He was also the more vindictive, spoilt and arrogant. Alas, too late now for a role reversal.
— Zafar Hilaly (@ZafarHilaly) September 29, 2019
The rhetoric of “Selected” Rings Louder
The responses recorded by other opposition parties and leaders along with Bilawal on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s UNGA address and his performance in presenting the case of occupied Kashmir were harsh and unjustified. Analysts believe that the Pakistan People’s Party leadership has exhibited an irresponsible stance with regard to the ongoing situation in Kashmir.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of highlighting the Kashmir issue for gaining publicity in the international arena and lamented that he did not take any concrete steps.
JUI-F chief alleged that Kashmir has been sold and the United States and India are well aware of this secret. He said, “Imran Khan has been imposed on Pakistan as part of a global conspiracy
Addressing reports at a village near Sehwan, the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “The selectors and selected analysts are highlighting and praising a worthless speech. The truth is that the entire country and the people of Kashmir are disappointed that the selected government could not do justice in presenting the case of Kashmir.”
Bilawal Bhutto added, “Much like people are gathered to clap for a dictator in North Korea, select analysts were gathered to clap for the selected Prime Minister.”
The PPP Chairman said that while Prime Minister Imran Khan was highlighting human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, opinion-makers were questioning his two-faced approach at the “atrocities he was committing in his own country.”
He said, “The country has been engulfed in turmoil due to the ongoing process of political victimization that is being carried out under the guise of accountability, and is destroying the economic and political stability of the country.”
Read more: Imran Khan’s passionate appeal: Will the world wake up to Kashmir?
Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman, Chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, also observed that the PTI government has failed to convince the international community to support its stance on Kashmir. He said, “The world has not lent support to our stance on Kashmir, even after Imran Khan’s UNGA address.”
The JUI-F chief alleged that Kashmir has been sold and the United States and India are well aware of this secret. He said, “Imran Khan has been imposed on Pakistan as part of a global conspiracy, and he is accountable for the tumultuous period the country is facing today.”
Twitteratis have come forward to condemn the unsupportive stance of the PPP and other opposition parties, accusing them of maligning Imran Khan and his efforts for Kashmir for their own vested interests.
Political opposition of Pakistan consists of corrupt entrepreneurs & mullahs who use power to fill their bank accounts which is why they are extremely unpopular. While in India, even the bitter opposition stands with #HitlerModi when it comes to Nationalism pic.twitter.com/YD6A0vCqzk
— RASHID (@RHNotion) September 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/alali3091/status/1178586336753831936
Ahmed Bin Qasim, a journalist from Indian occupied Kashmir, observed that the opposition parties of Pakistan are “weaponizing” the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Kashmir to further their own political agenda.
Qasim said, “As a Kashmiri, the amount of malice the Pakistani opposition parties have against Imran Khan is terrible. They are weaponizing our sufferings to vent out their own frustration. Leave Kashmir out of your petty politics. He spoke for us and we love him for that.”
https://twitter.com/aahmedbinqasim/status/1177871219145760768
Taimur Khan Jhagra, Finance Minister KPK, took a jibe at Bilawal Bhutto. He tweeted, “Ironic that the gentleman who keeps on talking of a ‘selected’ PM, was ‘selected’ himself as the head of his party at age 18.”
Jhagra added, “I would hope that even the PM’s opponents have the grace to recognize the passion with which Imran Khan fought Kashmir’s case.”
Ironic that the gentleman who keeps on talking of a 'selected' PM, was 'selected' himself as the head of his party at age 18.
I would hope that even the PM's opponents have the grace to recognise the passion with which @ImranKhanPTI fought Kashmir's case.https://t.co/Yv1uTCyiWD— Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) September 29, 2019