Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday of inciting violence at the Bannu peace rally to blame the army.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, under PTI control, cannot be trusted to conduct an impartial inquiry into the recent violence.
Tarar labeled PTI a terrorist party and vowed to bring its leaders to justice. He mentioned that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has assured support to the government in invoking Article 6 against PTI leaders.
He claimed PTI’s history is marred by chaos and violence, citing the 2014 attack on Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters during a PTI sit-in, which he alleged was celebrated by PTI leaders.
Accusations of inciting violence
Tarar asserted that PTI has a pattern of inciting chaos and violence to further its political agenda. He accused PTI of provoking violence during a peace march of traders in Bannu, where PTI allegedly encouraged participants to open fire, resulting in casualties.
“These people are always looking for dead bodies,” he said, accusing PTI of planning to kill their own members to blame the government.
Tarar also commented on the current jail conditions of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, stating that Khan enjoys modern facilities and that the government has not ordered any mistreatment.
Attack on Pakistani consulate in Germany
Tarar addressed the recent attack on the Pakistani consulate in Germany, noting that the Foreign Office has lodged a protest with German authorities and demanded the arrest of those involved. He warned that any Pakistani found guilty would have their passport revoked.
He reiterated that PTI’s efforts to destabilize Pakistan would not succeed, accusing Imran Khan of bringing terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan during his tenure, leading to the current surge in terrorism.
Responding to queries about the recent internet shutdown, Tarar clarified that it was a global issue and not related to government action.
Criticism of PTI leadership
Tarar did not hold back in his criticism of PTI, accusing its leaders of being sympathetic to the Taliban and fostering violence. He condemned the narrative promoted by PTI on social media, which he said falsely blames the army for firing on civilians.
He emphasized the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers, noting that on July 15, eight soldiers were martyred. Tarar accused PTI of attempting to frame the army for civilian deaths to fuel their political agenda.
Government’s stance
The Federal Information Minister concluded by stating that PTI’s attempts to incite violence and chaos in Pakistan have been ongoing since 2014. He reiterated the government’s resolve to hold PTI accountable and called for a united front against the party’s disruptive tactics.
