Tarar Tells PTI to Choose Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Amid KP Terror Surge

ISLAMABAD — Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday told the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to decide whether it stands with Pakistan or Afghanistan, escalating the federal government’s clash with the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) administration over a wave of terrorist attacks in the province.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Tarar accused the KP government of refusing to take ownership of counterterrorism operations or adopt practical measures against militancy, according to The News. He alleged that the PTI had acted as a “B-team” of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) over the past 12 years, and said the provincial administration had not even condemned recent cross-border firing from Afghanistan.

The minister argued that 12 and a half years of PTI rule in KP was ample time to improve security and governance, claiming residents were now travelling to other provinces for basic services. He added that the federal government had offered modern vehicles to the KP police, but the offer was declined.

“We are fully determined to uproot the menace of terrorism,” Tarar said, vowing that security forces would continue operations until militancy is eliminated. The PTI has disputed the government’s allegations.

Sources

• The News: https://www.thenews.pk/story/1439936-pti-must-choose-between-pakistan-and-afghanistan-says-minister
• WE News English: https://wenewsenglish.com/pakistan-ministers-urge-pti-to-clarify-position-on-afghanistan-amid-kp-terror-attacks/
• Abb Takk: https://abbtakk.tv/tarar-asks-pti-to-clarify-stance-on-pakistan-afghanistan-amid-terror-surge/