ISLAMABAD( The COW News Digital) Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar has lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), asserting that the party is not deceiving anyone else but only fooling itself.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Tarar reiterated that the most significant corruption case in the country is against PTI’s founder. He highlighted the £190 million corruption case, in which the former premier was sentenced to 14 years following what he described as a transparent trial.
“The founder of PTI must explain how funds were transferred to Malik Riaz,” Tarar said. “The party has failed to provide any evidence in this regard. During a cabinet meeting, an envelope was waved and its approval obtained, while ministers who raised objections were sidelined.”
He further questioned why, if PTI’s leadership claimed innocence, the founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, resorted to the Al-Qadir Trust arrangement. According to Tarar, celebrating bail in one case does not mean absolution from corruption. “PTI is rejoicing over bail decisions, but the reality remains unchanged. Those who secured bail are still convicted. No one has been exonerated,” he stressed.
The minister also pointed to the violent events of May 9, 2023, when PTI supporters allegedly carried out coordinated attacks on state and military installations. He said the nation was fully aware that the incidents were pre-planned and not spontaneous.
“PTI should tell the people what exactly they are celebrating. The party’s leaders have been convicted despite bail in certain cases, and no court has declared them innocent,” Tarar remarked.
He insisted that PTI’s attempts to portray itself as a victim of political targeting were misleading and counterproductive. “The party is making noise to hide its crimes. In reality, they are not deceiving the nation, they are deceiving themselves,” he concluded.
Tarar’s remarks come at a time when PTI leaders are hailing recent bail decisions as a victory, while the government continues to emphasize corruption charges and the legal consequences that remain pending against the party’s top leadership.
Observers believe the sharp rhetoric signals the government’s intent to keep PTI under constant political and legal pressure, while reminding the public of past corruption scandals and violent unrest linked to the party.
