ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Friday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of facilitating terrorism, saying that facilitating terrorists is part of their policy.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said that PTI is “B-team of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan [Fitna Al Khawarij]” and “C-team of the Afghan Taliban”.
“Sohail Afridi appeared less like a chief minister and more like a commander of TTP,” the minister criticised.
The federal minister said that the establishment of law and order in the province is the responsibility of the provincial government, questioning its response to the deteriorating security situation.
“Security forces are combating terrorism, and operations are underway to completely eliminate the terrorists,” he asserted.
Tarar claimed that terrorists had targeted workers and leaders of different political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but alleged that PTI had failed to take a clear position against militant groups.
Referring to the alleged firing and infiltration from Afghanistan, the minister said that Afghan Taliban forces fired on Pakistani forces in Kurram Agency, but Chief Minister Afridi did not even condemn it, saying that this is a sign of cowardice.
“Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, his cabinet and the entire PTI government are not only cowards but also facilitators of terrorists.”
‘If you have courage, then do long march’
In addition, the government spokesperson challenged PTI to proceed with its planned long march if they had the courage, describing them as “cowards” for retreating from the long march.
“They have no preparation whatsoever for the long march. I’ve recently visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and seen no preparations,” Tarar maintained.
“The government runs on work, not on slogans. Politicians get votes over performance. We should do politics but avoid engaging in negative politics.”
Atta Tarar further alleged that the PTI wants to turn the police into a political force and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is also involved in illegal contracts.
He said that the people of the province are helpless and the provincial government should focus on the law and order situation.
The federal minister’s press conference came amid reports circulating in the media that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has decided to postpone its planned long march towards Islamabad until October 5.
The decision was taken during the party’s political committee meeting in Peshawar today, sources said. The march was initially scheduled for September 27.
According to the sources, the decision to formally postpone it will be announced after Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas are taken into confidence.
The federal and Punjab governments have geared up preparations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi Division to deal with any emergency situation during the PTI long march.
