ISLAMABAD: The federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday engaged in a bitter war of words over the recent spike in terrorism, with both sides accusing each other of policy failures that have exacerbated the security crisis.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, in a video statement, launched a sharp critique against the PTI, alleging that the party had “facilitated militants” during its tenure. He claimed that PTI’s founder had “rolled out the red carpet” for terrorists, allowing them to settle in Pakistan. “Instead of condemning terrorism, PTI seems to be encouraging it,” Chaudhry said, further asserting that no PTI leader had ever been targeted by militant groups.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking to a private news channel, dismissed the minister’s remarks as “factually incorrect” and “irresponsible.” He stressed that Pakistan was facing a serious security challenge and urged the government to prioritize counterterrorism efforts over political blame games. “Official records show decisions regarding militants were made post-July 2022, not during PTI’s tenure,” Khan said, rejecting claims of PTI’s involvement. He also condemned Chaudhry’s insinuation that PTI had not been targeted by terrorists, calling it a reckless statement.
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Separately, during an appearance on TV Chaudhry highlighted the challenges of securing Pakistan’s 2,600 km-long border with Afghanistan, stating that both nations shared responsibility in preventing cross-border infiltration. He criticized Afghanistan for failing to curb militant movement, which he said had worsened Pakistan’s security situation.
The minister also lamented the lack of political unity in combating terrorism, contrasting the current divisions with the consensus seen during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure. He alleged that the National Action Plan (NAP) had been neglected after 2018, leading to a resurgence in militant activities.
