Islamabad; In Islamabad, two key leaders of the federal government have criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), raising questions on terrorism, security arrangements and the role of the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar demanded that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi clarify his stance on Afghanistan, while Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry expressed reservations about terrorist incidents and police powers.
Attaullah Tarar, in a press conference, alleged that the PTI leadership does not give a clear response to terrorist attacks from Afghanistan. He said that steps should have been taken to improve the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the past 12 and a half years. According to him, the leadership of the Awami National Party, the Muslim League (N) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam have made sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
The federal minister also accused the PTI of financing terrorists and being soft on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He questioned the presence of non-custom paid vehicles and motorcycles without number plates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the provincial government was not taking effective steps to bring them under the legal ambit. He claimed that such vehicles are used in terrorist activities.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also questioned the PTI’s stance on Afghanistan. He said that terrorism cannot be termed as jihad, and the elements involved in it get financial benefits. According to him, the facilitators of the terrorists are present across the eastern and western borders of Pakistan.
Talal Chaudhry, referring to an attack in Dera Ismail Khan, said that two personnel were martyred when an ambulance carrying the injured was fired upon. He also expressed reservations about the return of bulletproof vehicles and the limitation of police powers through the new Police Act.
These statements by government leaders highlight differences on counter-terrorism measures, provincial administrative responsibilities, and federal-provincial relations. However, PTI’s stance and its response to these allegations are not included in this news.
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