ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has ruled out any relief for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan if the party attempts to pressure the government through its planned long march.
Talking to media at Parliament House, the defence minister accused PTI of trying to blackmail the government and alleged that the party was acting alongside the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Asif said the government would not succumb to pressure, describing PTI’s expectation of forcing concessions through street agitation as “wishful thinking”.
He alleged that PTI had repeatedly targeted Islamabad through protests and questioned the party’s position on the TTP and what he described as its Afghan supporters.
“Show me a statement of theirs against the TTP or those who sponsor them,” Asif said, referring to the Afghan Taliban leadership.
The minister also claimed that militants were operating openly in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that the provincial government had failed to establish its writ in those areas.
He linked the security situation to what he described as growing coordination between PTI and militant elements, saying the alleged connections and planning were becoming increasingly visible.
Referring to earlier remarks by a senior PTI leader about causing destruction in Islamabad, Asif said such statements represented the party’s mindset.
He warned that Imran Khan should not expect concessions if PTI continued what he called a policy of political blackmail.
“If they resort to blackmail, I see no relief for Imran Khan in the future,” he said, stressing that the government would not accept demands under pressure.
The defence minister urged PTI to return to negotiations and focus on governing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa instead of pursuing confrontation in Islamabad.
“Come to the negotiating table and return home; take care of your province,” he said, while calling on the party to distance itself from militants and prevent terrorist financing.
Asif also appealed to opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai to play a constructive political role, recalling his longstanding political ties with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
He urged political forces to set aside differences and jointly confront what he described as Afghanistan-sponsored terrorism.
