PTI will be treated like terrorist on Nov 24, warns Azma Bukhari

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari on Wednesday warned PTI ahead of planned anti-government protests on 24 November, says the government will act against the demonstrators as it does with terrorists.

Speaking outside the Lahore High Court, Azma said that protestors wanted to wage "jihad against the state." “They may have plans A and B, but the state has the full A to Z to counter them,” she said.

She accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of misusing public funds, claiming that over Rs8.1 million were spent on a rally in Islamabad, money she argued should have been allocated to public welfare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Referring to a fake video scandal targeting her, Azma welcomed the Lahore High Court’s decision to reject the bail plea of Muhammad Shafiq, one of the accused.

The court remarked that such actions severely damage a woman’s reputation and need firm legal action.

The minister further stressed the need for regulating social media in Pakistan, calling for enhanced capacity-building for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Azma criticised PTI's propaganda tactics and accused the party of operating a cell to spread disinformation, urging the judiciary to take a stricter stance against such activities.

The protests, planned for 24 November, have sparked concerns of potential unrest. The Punjab government has vowed to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order.