Challenge of terrorism in KP: PTI rejects claims of ‘non-cooperation’

ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday rejected accusations of “non-cooperation” against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), vehemently denying military claims that the party had facilitated terrorism, and reiterated its stance that terrorism should not be politicised.

Speaking at a press conference, acting PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, party Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, and senior leader Asad Qaiser stressed the need for a unified national approach to combat terrorism and prevent its politicisation.

Gohar stated that PTI has consistently condemned terrorism in all its forms, calling for a united national stance to tackle the threat posed by extremists.

“Our position has always been clear: terrorism is a national threat that should be fought without political differences,” he remarked, adding that PTI and its leadership had condemned all forms of terrorism, regardless of the perpetrators.

He emphasised that terrorism is indiscriminate, targeting mosques, schools, and innocent civilians alike, and that no one can have any sympathy for those involved in such heinous acts of terrorism.

Regarding accusations against PTI’s provincial government in KP, Gohar rejected claims that the party had been uncooperative in counterterrorism efforts.

He pointed to the grand jirga held in KP in October, which included political leaders, intellectuals, and religious scholars, and led to a unanimous agreement on revising the country’s counter-terrorism policies.

He also criticised recent military allegations that PTI’s leadership had failed to protect citizens from terrorist attacks, calling such claims “inappropriate and dangerous.”

“When anyone in Pakistan faces a terrorist attack, it is an attack on the whole nation,” he stated.

In a sharp rebuttal, Salman Akram Raja condemned the military’s accusations, stressing that neither Imran Khan nor PTI had ever been “terrorist sympathisers.”

“Only a fool would sympathise with terrorists,” he remarked, urging that any allegations be addressed through proper forums instead of press conferences.

He reiterated PTI’s willingness to cooperate with the federal government and military on counter-terrorism strategies.

He also underscored PTI’s commitment to bridging the gap between KP’s people and the state, which he argued is crucial in addressing the root causes of extremism.

“PTI is the only party capable of bringing people and institutions together for a national purpose,” he added.

He emphasised that securing the borders is the military’s responsibility, not PTI’s provincial government, and expressed serious concerns over the ongoing flow of arms and terrorists into Pakistan from across the border, undermining national security.

Asad Qaiser, another senior PTI leader, questioned the effectiveness of the current counter-terrorism policies, asking, “There have been operations for 17 years; has terrorism increased or decreased after them? If a policy has been consistently failing, it is essential to review it.”

He called for a review of the existing strategy, noting that the rise in terrorist activities indicated a failure of the current approach.

He also criticised the federal government for neglecting KP’s development needs, which he argued had fostered resentment among the province’s residents.

He pointed out that PTI, as the country’s largest political party, was being unfairly targeted, with its political activities increasingly restricted.

He called for an end to the ongoing campaign against the party, asserting that PTI’s core stance had always focused on peace and unity, as reflected in the resolutions passed by the KP Assembly following the October jirga.

He stressed that the press conference was not against anyone but called for institutions to stay within their limits.

Given the global situation, he added, professionalism is crucial, as such behaviour fosters public disillusionment and harms Pakistan’s interests.

In response to a question about any breakthrough in talks with the government, he clarified that no formal dialogue was currently taking place with either the government or the military.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026