Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan had not been part of the parliament since 2000.
Speaking to media in Islamabad, Siddiqui said: "Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism, while also highlighting his concerns about the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)."
"The PTI lacked parliamentary, democratic and ethical traditions. This party does not hold parliamentary or democratic values,” he added.
The PML-N senator underscored the sacrifices made by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, stating, "We have lost 80,000 people in the battle against terrorism, with our security agencies and armed forces also making significant sacrifices."
He stressed that no nation had faced such challenges or endured such losses as Pakistan had.
Referring to the capture of terrorists involved in attacks, Siddiqui said, "We captured terrorists involved in attacks and handed them over to the United States, a move praised by President Trump."
He was of the view that this was a positive indication of Pakistan's efforts in combating terrorism.
"The weapons left by the US in Afghanistan are being used in acts of terrorism," he said.
"We have always followed a policy of reconciliation. He went on to critique PTI's approach, stating that the party believed in street power, which he claimed it no longer had," Siddiqui said.
They have come to us for talks after realising the futility of protests and rallies," he said.
He added that now PTI was seeking to join the opposition, although, "The opposition is well aware of their past."
He said: "The PTI’s leadership did not believe in political traditions, reiterating, "They do not believe in political traditions."
Siddiqui said: "When PTI's founder, Imran Khan, was first elected, he resigned and left. "The founder of PTI resigned and left when elected."
Siddiqui underlined the importance of Pakistan’s security forces, saying, "Our security agencies have been sacrificing their lives."
