Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Thursday strongly rejected allegations of facilitating terrorism, reaffirming their party’s commitment to eliminating militancy and calling for unity, dialogue, and a comprehensive national policy.
Addressing a press conference, Barrister Gohar said terrorism remains a critical national issue and PTI has been forced to address it publicly for the third time. He stressed that the PTI’s stance has always been clear: terrorism is a disease that must be completely eradicated.
He said PTI has consistently condemned terrorism and demanded full implementation of the National Action Plan, rejecting claims that the party is not cooperating against terrorists.
Warning against political blame game
Barrister Gohar termed it dangerous to suggest that terrorist attacks do not target the PTI, noting that more than 1,235 people have lost their lives in recent years. He said Pakistan itself is the target, regardless of political affiliations.
He warned that making accusations against PTI would only widen divisions, calling such rhetoric a “deadly poison” for national unity. He urged that sensitive matters be discussed in appropriate forums rather than through confrontational press conferences.
KP govt role, counterterrorism spending
Gohar said the PTI’s provincial government is a frontline stakeholder in the fight against terrorism. He revealed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spent Rs40 billion to enhance its counterterrorism capacity.
He added that KP ranks high in good governance, citing transparency reports that place the province at the top in terms of governance quality and absence of corruption.
The PTI chairman said a national jirga was convened to discuss terrorism, to which all political parties were invited. He clarified that while terrorism was discussed, there are currently no negotiations being held by either the government or the opposition.
He said leaders like Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas have been authorized for dialogue if required. He added that once the notification for the opposition leader is issued, Achakzai himself will decide on negotiations.
Salman Akram Raja rejects claims against PTI founder
Senior PTI leader Salman Akram Raja strongly rejected allegations that the PTI founder facilitated terrorism. He said such claims are an injustice to the people of Pakistan and deeply regrettable.
He said PTI came with a message of solidarity and stands firmly against terrorism, homelessness, and the martyrdom of innocent citizens. He also said that the PTI founder has always advocated negotiations, stressing that dialogue cannot be conducted while keeping the country’s major leader behind bars. He said peace cannot be achieved through ammunition and gunpowder alone.
The senior lawyer questioned how terrorists and weapons continue to enter the country, saying border protection is not PTI’s responsibility and these issues must be addressed collectively.
Call for long-term national policy on terrorism
The PTI leader emphasized the need for a long-term national policy spanning five to 10 years, covering terrorism, the economy, and education. He said poverty and unemployment are major drivers pushing people toward extremism.
He noted that significant funds were promised for the integration of tribal areas but were never received, adding that development cannot rely solely on security operations.
Raja said the PTI does not support military operations that result in the martyrdom of innocents and displacement of millions. He warned that the growing gap between the people of KP and the army is unhealthy for the country.
He urged acceptance of democratic voices and learning from the ground realities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Message of unity and inclusion
Concluding the press conference, PTI leaders said their message is one of solidarity and policy continuity. They stressed that the party representing the people of KP cannot be sidelined in national decision-making.
They reiterated that negotiations and sustainable policies cannot be formed by imprisoning major political leaders, urging inclusive dialogue to protect Pakistan from further harm.
