PTI Denies Allegations of Non-Cooperation Against Terrorism in KP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday strongly rejected allegations of non-cooperation against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling the claims baseless and contrary to facts on the ground.
Addressing a press conference alongside senior party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said accusations that PTI was not cooperating on counterterrorism efforts in KP were “inappropriate and a lie”.
“Claims that PTI is not cooperating in KP are contrary to reality,” Barrister Gohar said, stressing that terrorists have no religion or political affiliation. He reiterated that PTI has always viewed terrorism as a grave threat that must be eliminated at all costs.
The PTI chairman emphasised that terrorism should not be politicised and expressed hope that such allegations against the party would not be repeated in the future.
Highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja called for strict implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and urged the formulation of a long-term national counterterrorism policy.
“We want to make a national policy that lasts for the next five to ten years,” he said, adding that consultation among all stakeholders was essential to tackle the issue effectively. He described the accusations against PTI as unacceptable and called on the federal government to engage the party in meaningful dialogue.
“Sit with us and prepare a plan of action against terrorism,” Salman Akram Raja said, stressing that PTI did not want to see innocent people losing their lives.
Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also addressed the media, urging the federal government to take the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly into confidence before making decisions on counterterrorism operations.
“Terrorism has not decreased; rather, it has increased. If a policy fails, then it must be reconsidered,” Qaiser said.
The PTI press conference followed recent remarks by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who called for the inclusion of the provincial government in counterterrorism policymaking and stressed that operations should be conducted after taking the nation into confidence.
The statements come amid heightened tensions after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry earlier this week blamed the PTI leadership in KP for the surge in terrorist incidents in the province.
Lt Gen Chaudhry alleged that PTI was resisting counterterrorism efforts at multiple forums and accused the party of building a false narrative while remaining part of legislative assemblies. He also criticised opposition to military operations against militants, reiterating that counterterrorism required decisive state action rather than political ambiguity.
The ISPR DG further claimed that nearly 71 percent of terrorist incidents reported in 2025 occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attributing the situation to what he described as a politically conducive environment and a growing political-criminal-terror nexus in the province.
