ISLAMABAD:
The federal government on Monday vehemently lambasted Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for questioning claims that Afghan soil was being used for terror attacks against Pakistan, triggering sharp reactions from several ministers who accused the PTI of undermining the national narrative on terrorism.
The controversy erupted after Afridi, speaking during a media interaction at PTI chief Alamgir Khan’s residence in Karachi on Sunday evening, said the state should present evidence to back allegations that Afghan territory was being used for terrorist purposes in Pakistan.
He also noted that other countries sharing borders with Afghanistan did not have similar complaints.
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“The whole world has seen the evidence of the Afghan Taliban regime’s support for terrorists, and there is also compelling evidence that Afghan soil is being used for terrorist activities,” Tarar said.
He added that “Sohail Afridi has reached the height of lies and hypocrisy”, claiming that Pakistan had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and alleging that the PTI had repeatedly facilitated terrorists.
“Pakistan’s development is unacceptable to Fitna al Khawarij, that is why Pakistan is being targeted,” he said, adding that Afridi needed to “come to his senses.”
Later in the day, Tarar reiterated the government’s position while addressing the Qaumi Paigham-e-Amman committee conference in Islamabad.
He said terrorist elements would not be allowed to advance their narrative or ideology and stressed that the nation remained united in its resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms through both kinetic and non-kinetic means.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, efforts were underway to strengthen the national narrative and counter anti-state designs.
“PTI sows doubt”
Separately speaking to the media in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accused the PTI of constantly creating uncertainty on national security issues.
“They are always reluctant to label terrorists as terrorists and say things that sow doubt among the common man,” he said, adding that neighboring countries were involved, one “investing” and the other “implementing” terrorism.
“KP CM once again said in Karachi that we should provide evidence of terrorist activities to the Afghan government. Do you still not know who is behind terrorism?”
He said at least two dozen countries had highlighted that Afghan soil was being used for terrorist purposes and accused the PTI of deliberately sowing doubt, opposing military operations, resisting the expulsion of illegal Afghan nationals and preferring negotiations over action.
“There must be a reason for this meek attitude,” Talal said.
“They have something in common, and I will say it on the record: there has not been a single attack on a PTI leader, worker, advisor or minister in the last 11 years,” he said.
He accused the party of creating ambiguity so that militant groups could operate in KP and gain public sympathy.
Questioning the PTI street movement, Talal asked if the party leaders had met the families of the martyrs.
“You oppose the national narrative because you are a beneficiary of it,” he said, warning that no individual, regardless of their position, would be allowed to speak out against the national narrative or create doubt.
He said the PTI could lead “100 political movements” but no soft stance on terrorism would be tolerated.
“We’ll send you wherever we’re going to send them. If you have that much empathy for them, then go to Afghanistan,” he said.
Citing the toll of violence, Talal said more than 1,200 people were martyred, families and children were killed in the shelling, and 60 to 70 percent of these incidents occurred in KP.
He accused the PTI of trying to create unrest to weaken the state and use it as political leverage and warned that its supporters would be treated like terrorists.
“There is no place for terrorism in Pakistan,” he said, adding that no one would be allowed to “play with the blood” of Pakistanis through speeches or weapons.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry termed Afridi’s remarks as “upsetting”, pointing out that KP had witnessed the highest number of terrorist incidents.
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“Our demand was that they take control of the situation,” he said.
Questioning whether the KP CM recognized the sacrifices of security forces and civilians, he linked major attacks, including the bomb blast outside a district court in Islamabad, to Afghanistan.
“Your statement today amounts to rubbing salt into the wounds of the families of the martyrs and slain civilians,” he said.
Chaudhry said Pakistan had presented evidence and images at international forums showing terrorists arriving from Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan remained a friendly country to Afghanistan and had hosted around four million Afghan refugees for decades, but added that internal security could not be compromised.
“The security of Pakistan and that of the people is our responsibility and we will fulfill it under all circumstances,” he said, warning that continued attacks would prompt a strong response.
