Azma Bokhari declares PTI fascist force bent on chaos

LAHORE (News Desk): Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Zahid Bokhari, has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is no longer a political party but has transformed into a fascist group that seeks to undermine national unity and state institutions.

Addressing a press conference at DGPR, she urged the public to reject political chaos and express solidarity with the people of Kashmir on August 5 — observed as “Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir” (Kashmir Exploitation Day).

Commenting on the PTI’s calls for protests on the same day, Bokhari criticized the party’s leadership for what she termed as “duplicitous behavior.

The so-called champion of ‘real freedom’ has placed an advertisement in the U.S. worth $18 million. While he once demanded independence from America, now his son echoes the same slogans abroad,” she said.

Azma Bokhari further said that certain elements attempted to malign the recent visit of Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to Lahore.
“It was a historic moment,” she emphasized, adding that “Iran holds a deep intellectual connection with Allama Iqbal and considers him the ‘Poet of the East.’”

Read more:Indian Aggression in Kashmir Must End: APP Leadership Speaks Out

She highlighted that Iran has expressed commitment to expand bilateral trade with Pakistan up to $10 billion, calling the warm reception by Nawaz Sharif and CM Maryam Nawaz a sign of strengthening bilateral ties.

On governance and development, Bokhari said Punjab has received anti-smog guns, with 15 currently deployed in Lahore in preparation for the upcoming smog season starting in October. She added that millions of trees are being planted with QR-code tracking for transparency.

Public schools are being upgraded with new furniture, secure boundary walls, and modern washroom facilities.

Highlighting women’s empowerment, she said that women have been recruited into the military from DG Khan and Rajanpur, while scholarships, laptops, and a 1,000-bed cancer hospital remain key priorities for the Punjab government.

Bokhari condemned PTI’s protest plans on August 5, stating that while Kashmiris suffer, the same leader calling for protests was once in power and failed to act. “Now he talks about guerrilla warfare against the state — such rhetoric must be dealt with an iron hand,” she stressed.

She recalled the failure of previous PTI protest campaigns, including the so-called “final call” on November 26, and movements announced after Ashura and on April 9 — all of which fizzled out.

Mocking PTI’s repeated calls for decisive action, she remarked, “They always talk about crossing the Rubicon, but end up retreating themselves.”

Azma Bokhari concluded by emphasizing that the current government has launched over 90 developmental projects and remains committed to economic stability and national progress.

She appealed to the public to stand united on August 5 and send a strong message to anti-state elements that there is no room for chaos and divisiveness in Pakistan.