Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar has said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will have to decide whether it wants to stand with Pakistan or Afghanistan. He made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Tarar criticised the PTI leadership over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the province was facing terrorism while, according to him, the provincial leadership was focused on securing the release of a jailed party leader.
The minister also criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, alleging that the provincial government had failed to address security and administrative challenges. He claimed residents of the province were travelling to other parts of the country to access basic facilities.
Tarar further alleged that the provincial government had failed to take adequate measures against terrorism. He also criticised the lack of condemnation, as he described it, of firing from Afghanistan and said the PTI needed to clarify its position regarding Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The information minister also raised questions about funds provided to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government under the National Finance Commission award. He asked how funds allocated for counterterrorism had been used and claimed the federal government had offered modern vehicles for the provincial police.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also questioned what he described as the PTI leadership’s approach towards Afghanistan. He referred to security arrangements and the new provincial police law while raising concerns about changes to police powers.
The statements come amid continuing political and security tensions involving the federal government, the PTI and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration. Tarar has previously made similar allegations about the provincial government and called on the PTI leadership to work for Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity.
