ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar on Thursday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of aiding terrorist activities, alleging that the nomination of Sohail Afridi for the Chief Minister position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was intended to support terrorist networks. Speaking alongside the Prime Minister’s Coordinator, Ikhtiar Wali, Tarar asserted that this move demonstrates PTI’s ongoing attempts to undermine Pakistan’s peace and stability.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar described the PTI, under its jailed founder, as a disruptive force harming Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. He blamed the group for abolishing the National Action Plan during its leadership, a decision that he claimed paved the way for terrorists’ resurgence. According to him, the nomination of Sohail Afridi as Chief Minister signifies continued efforts to enable such elements.
Referring to previous anti-terror operations Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-ul-Azb, Tarar highlighted Pakistan’s significant progress in eliminating terrorist threats and bringing peace to the region. However, he accused PTI of reversing this progress by facilitating militants, claiming that remnants of these actions still persist today.
The matter drew attention after Imran Khan recommended Sohail Afridi, a KP Assembly member from the Khyber district, to replace Ali Amin Gandapur as Chief Minister. Following this, Gandapur submitted his resignation to the Governor. Tarar alleged that Gandapur was removed for failing to meet Imran Khan’s expectations of adequately supporting terrorists. He further contended that Imran Khan preferred someone like Afridi due to his close ties with Murad Saeed and perceived leniency toward extremist elements.
The Information Minister sharply criticized PTI’s approach to national security, reiterating that Pakistan’s security policies are formulated in Islamabad and not influenced by foreign or external forces. He emphasized that no concessions would be made to terrorists or their enablers in KP.
Tarar also highlighted a rise in terrorism within KP during PTI’s 12-year governance in the province, attributing this trend to their lenient stance towards extremists and policies he claimed have severely harmed national security.
