Atta Tarar accuses PTI of facilitating terrorism in KP

Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry sharply criticised the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over the province’s security situation, accusing it of failing to take effective action against terrorism and alleging links between militant activity and networks operating from Afghanistan.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, Tarar alleged that PTI had become the “B-team” of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Chaudhry claimed that 70% of terrorists involved in attacks in Pakistan were residents of Afghanistan. The allegations were made by the ministers as part of a broader criticism of the KP government’s counterterrorism policies.

Tarar alleged that the PTI government had supported or facilitated terrorists during its more than 12.5 years in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the provincial government had no intention of taking meaningful measures against terrorism and described its intentions and attitude as “malicious” and problematic.

The information minister also alleged that PTI had avoided condemning militant groups and claimed that terrorists had targeted political parties across KP while appearing to spare PTI. Similar accusations were made by Tarar in recent remarks, in which he described PTI as the TTP’s “B-team” and the Afghan Taliban’s “C-team”.

Tarar said the PTI-led provincial government was facilitating terrorists and alleged that terrorism was being financed through illegal activities, including gold mining, timber and tobacco trade. He also accused political figures of benefiting from illegal mining and contracts.

He further alleged that the PTI leadership had left the KP Police at the mercy of terrorists and had failed to provide adequate resources to law-enforcement agencies. He said the provincial government had not stood behind security forces during attacks.