Bilawal, Sanaullah Criticize PTI’s Extreme Politics

In a sharp exchange of political criticism, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah have targeted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), warning that the party’s extreme statements could backfire and put it in trouble.

Bilawal, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, said PTI’s hardline approach is pushing the party close to political irrelevance. “The party’s extreme politics is not just hurting its image; it is putting its future at risk,” he said, while also cautioning against calls to ban the party, saying such moves would only increase tensions. According to Dawn, Bilawal stressed the need for dialogue and political maturity to protect Pakistan’s democracy.

Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, said PTI is mixing anti-establishment politics with attacks on the army, which is hurting the party’s credibility. Speaking on Geo News’ Naya Pakistan, he said, “People may dislike the establishment, but they respect the army. PTI’s attacks on the army are not political debate—they harm their own reputation.” He also criticized PTI leaders for skipping martyrs’ funerals and appearing on Indian media, which he said has further damaged their image. 

The Punjab Assembly recently passed a resolution seeking to ban PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan over alleged anti-state activities, raising tensions further. PTI rejects these claims, saying attempts to discredit Khan only make him more popular, especially at rallies like the one at Peshawar’s Sports Complex, where party leaders reaffirmed their support for him.

PTI leader Barrister Ali Zafar defended the party, saying accusations of being anti-state are wrong. He added that political debate should not be seen as anti-national and that media appearances are a personal choice.

As Pakistan’s political scene becomes more polarized, both PPP and PML-N leaders are warning that PTI’s confrontational approach could backfire, isolating the party from both the public and key institutions. According to reports, the debate highlights a bigger struggle over controlling the political narrative in the country.

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