Tarar calls PTI “political wing” of TTP, says party avoids condemning militants

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday termed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf a “political wing” of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, alleging that the party avoids clearly condemning the militant outfit.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Zahid Khan, Tarar criticised PTI’s stance on the TTP, saying its leaders “falter when speaking” about the outlawed group and show “leniency towards terrorists”.

His remarks came a day after PTI rejected claims of non-cooperation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on counterterrorism efforts.

Tarar said terrorism had been effectively eliminated from KP following Operation Zarb-e-Azb, but alleged that the province had since suffered due to poor governance. He criticised PTI’s 12-year rule in the province, saying governance had deteriorated and public institutions had weakened.

The information minister also took aim at what he described as false claims by PTI leaders, referring to an assertion about the construction of Lady Reading Hospital, which he dismissed as misleading.

Drawing comparisons among provinces, Tarar said development in Punjab was visible, while projects were also underway in Sindh and Balochistan. In contrast, he said KP had lagged behind in development.

He further alleged that the health and education sectors in KP were in decline due to negligence by the provincial government.

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Speaking on the occasion, Zahid Khan said he had never seen a chief minister personally leading a political movement, adding that such movements were traditionally launched by political parties, not individuals. He claimed that former chief minister Pervez Khattak had led attacks on Islamabad in the past, followed by Ali Amin Gandapur, and alleged that another PTI leader had now adopted a similar approach.

Earlier on Thursday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar rejected the allegations, saying terrorism must be uprooted at all costs and stressing that the party had always opposed militancy.

“Claims that PTI is not cooperating in KP are inappropriate and contrary to reality. It is a lie,” Gohar said while speaking to the media alongside party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser.