ISLAMABAD, AUG 8: PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that he has been active in politics for 40 years, but no cases were registered against him for the first 39 years of his career.
In an informal conversation with journalists at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, he, however, lamented that dozens of cases have been filed against him in the past year alone.
The veteran politician emphasized the importance of recognizing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan as a political reality, regardless of differing opinions. “Whether one likes it or not, the founder of PTI is a political reality,” Qureshi said, stressing that political stability cannot be achieved without accepting this fact.
Qureshi also urged an end to the practice of labelling political opponents as traitors, a trend he says has persisted for 75 years. “We should stop calling each other traitors,” he asserted, adding that certificates of treason have been distributed for 75 years in Pakistan’s history.
He specifically mentioned Mahmood Khan Achakzai, describing him as a democrat and stating that a person with democratic ideals cannot be a traitor. Qureshi further emphasized that peace in Balochistan can only be achieved through negotiations, advocating for dialogue as the path forward.
In addition to his comments on the political situation, Qureshi took a moment to congratulate Olympian Arshad Nadeem on his recent gold medal victory, acknowledging the athlete’s achievement as a source of national pride.
Qureshi’s remarks from jail reflect his continued commitment to political discourse and his concern for the country’s future, even as he faces multiple legal challenges.
