Tarar accuses PTI of fueling instability; terrorism surge

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has alleged that a coordinated campaign is underway to create instability in the country, claiming that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has developed a nexus with anti-national elements.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, he said the rumors circulating in recent days are part of a “systematic conspiracy” aimed at weakening national institutions and disturbing public order.

Tarar said that Pakistan’s security forces continue to make significant sacrifices to maintain peace, but increasing infiltration along the Afghan border poses serious challenges. He accused the Afghan interim administration of failing to curb cross-border terrorist activities, saying that weaknesses on their side have contributed to rising militant movement into Pakistan. Ongoing army operations, he added, are focused on blocking infiltration and neutralizing threats emerging from Afghan territory.

Commenting on the internal security situation, Tarar claimed that political actors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have links with terrorist groups, further alleging that more than 4,000 terrorism-related cases in the province remain unresolved due to what he termed “government negligence.”

He said the surge in terrorism in KP was a direct result of the provincial government’s failure to govern effectively. “The performance of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is zero,” he asserted, adding that non-customs-paid vehicles and illegal contracts, such as mountain-cutting operations, were operating freely under the KP government’s watch.

The minister also criticised PTI for what he described as a lack of condemnation of terrorism, saying the provincial and party leadership had not issued even a symbolic statement against recent attacks. He reiterated allegations regarding PTI’s role in the events of May 9, stating that individuals close to the party’s founder Imran Khan, including his sisters, were present alongside groups involved in the violence. Tarar insisted that the planners and facilitators of the May 9 incidents would be brought to justice.

Addressing PTI’s international media engagements, especially the recent appearances of Imran Khan’s sisters on Indian propaganda TV channels, Tarar said party representatives had appeared on Indian channels but failed to acknowledge the sacrifices of Pakistani martyrs or mention the plight of Kashmiris. He accused PTI of attempting to weaken Pakistan “from within,” claiming the party could not tolerate the country’s diplomatic successes. “A neighboring country’s soil is being used against us, yet some people still do not understand the meaning of loyalty,” he said.

Tarar concluded by contrasting the federal and provincial approaches, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is pursuing essential reforms while the KP government is protecting mafias and lacks the capacity to even prosecute terrorists effectively.