ISLAMABAD (HRNW) – The Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Salman Akram Raja, has come forward in defense of Qasim Khan, the son of PTI founder Imran Khan, stating that he is “fighting Pakistan’s war” on the international stage.
PTI Leadership’s Stance
Addressing a party gathering, Salman Akram Raja reassured workers of their eventual success, framing their movement as a battle for national survival and justice. Key highlights from his speech include:
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Economic Concerns: He highlighted the rising unemployment and the vanishing of job opportunities within the country.
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Commitment to the Cause: Raja emphasized that the party would not retreat, standing firmly with imprisoned colleagues and working in tandem with KP leadership, including Sohail Afridi.
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Unity: He described the party as a single family under the leadership of Imran Khan, advocating for peaceful struggle and respect for the public mandate.
The Controversy: GSP Plus Status
The remarks follow a wave of criticism triggered by Qasim Khan’s recent meeting with Baloch National Movement leader Naseem Baloch. During this interaction, Qasim Khan reportedly called on the European Union to revoke Pakistan’s GSP Plus (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) status.
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The Rationale: Qasim Khan argued that the special trade status should be withdrawn due to alleged human rights violations in Pakistan, citing the imprisonment of his father, Imran Khan, as a primary example.
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Public and Political Reaction: The demand has met with a fierce backlash from various political and public circles, who have labeled the move as detrimental to national interests and a campaign against the state.
Economic Implications
Economic experts warn that the loss of GSP Plus status would be catastrophic for Pakistan’s economy:
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Textile Sector at Risk: The textile industry, which provides livelihoods for millions, relies heavily on duty-free access to European markets granted under this status.
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Financial Crisis: Revoking this status would lead to a sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves, an increase in the trade deficit, and a massive surge in unemployment.
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Global Image: Critics argue that using international trade platforms for personal or political grievances damages Pakistan’s global standing and economic stability.
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