ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sohail Afridi as the chief minister to “facilitate terrorists,” as the party functions as a “chaotic group and a facilitator of terrorists.”
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said the families of the martyrs take pride in their sacrifices, and the nation salutes its fallen heroes.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the army leadership attended the funeral prayers of the Orakzai martyrs, adding that “the nation stands united in honouring the courage and resolve of our brave sons.”
Tarar accused PTI of undermining national security during its rule, alleging that “terrorists were brought back after dismantling the National Action Plan.”
He said that during operations Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb, Pakistan achieved major successes and restored peace, but “terrorists have once again been facilitated, and this continues to this day.”
He claimed that the “PTI’s entire group is facilitating terrorists,” referring to Imran Khan’s past statements advocating talks with militants.
“The jailed person is the chief sponsor of terrorists, and they continue to receive support through him,” Tarar said, vowing that the government would not allow elements destabilising the country to succeed.
The minister alleged that Sohail Afridi was nominated as chief minister because his predecessor, Ali Amin Gandapur, “failed to adequately facilitate terrorists and meet the expectations of the PTI founder.”
He added that Imran Khan wanted a person “close to proclaimed offender Murad Saeed and sympathetic towards militants” in that role.
Tarar reiterated that Pakistan’s security policy “is made in Islamabad, not Kabul,” warning that the government would not allow anyone to dictate it from outside. “Despite ruling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 12 years, terrorism in the province is still rampant,” he said.
He also referred to a recent UK court ruling, saying it had “shattered PTI’s false narrative” and that the party no longer had any justification to criticise the state or the military “from different corners of the world.”