Khawaja Asif accuses PTI leadership of facilitating terrorism in KP

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday accused the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of facilitating terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying this had contributed to growing security challenges in the province.

In a statement on a social media platform, Asif said the nation would hold the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government accountable for the deaths of civilians and military personnel in terrorist attacks in the province.

The defence minister said PTI founder Imran Khan had supported the settlement in KP of elements who backed terrorism. He said Khan’s speeches in the National Assembly and media reports provided evidence of this.

Asif said every PTI chief minister had attacked the federal government after losing power at the centre.

He described Islamabad as a symbol of the federation’s unity and the identity of Pakistan’s 250 million people.

Asif said those killed had sacrificed their lives defending the country and recalled a military operation last year that, he said, had shattered the enemy’s arrogance.

“The Pakistani nation and the valiant armed forces dare to confront any internal or external enemies,” he said.