Responding to the press conference of Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday expressed “profound concern and regret” over what it dubbed “political criticism, sarcastic remarks, and allegations.”
In a post on its official X account, the party warned the press conference “not only escalates political temperatures but also raises questions about the balance of the state apparatus.” It said former Prime Minister Imran Khan had never referred to former Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa (ret.) as the “father of the nation” and said opposing military operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa did not amount to “support for terrorists.”
It noted that a Grand Peace Jirga of all major political parties of the province, as well as tribal elders and civil society representatives, had unanimously resolved that a military operation was not a sustainable solution. “Linking this collective provincial stance merely to one party or government is inappropriate from the perspective of the awareness and sacrifices of the entire province’s people,” it added.
The PTI further expressed “deep sorrow and astonishment” at the military spokesman’s questioning of why the PTI had not been targeted by militants. “Just this morning, the vehicle of PTI leader and former tehsil nazim Fida Muhammad was targeted in a bomb attack,” it said, adding multiple PTI workers and leaders had suffered terrorist attacks. “In such circumstances, raising questions of this nature can only add to the grief of the martyrs, the injured, and the affected families,” it said.
Similarly, it said, “departments under state institutions” had issued threat alerts related to terrorism risks against Imran Khan and various PTI leaders on multiple occasions. It also recalled that Khan was injured in a terrorist attack. “In this backdrop, conveying the impression that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is safe from terrorism or is not targeted by it reflects a disregard for facts and a lamentable mindset,” it said.
The party also expressed its reservations about the repeated criticism of Imran Khan. “Publicly criticizing a political leader who is unjustly imprisoned, who cannot exercise his fundamental right to defend himself, and whose voice is being deliberately suppressed does not seem appropriate in any way,” it said, while also voicing concern over the broadcast of images and speeches of the leadership of one province and one political party during the press conference.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf wants to make it clear that we are against terrorism, believe in the supremacy of the Constitution, and are willing to cooperate with all state institutions within the framework of the law,” it said, warning “bringing political differences” into such press interaction encouraged instability.
“There should be no politics on a grave national issue like terrorism. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has always openly condemned terrorism at every level and has continuously supported the implementation of the National Action Plan,” it said, maintaining there was no indication the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was not cooperation in counter-terrorism measures.
“Instead of dividing the nation on a national issue like terrorism, remaining united is essential,” it emphasized, saying “every Pakistani” was a patriot and questioning said patriotism was “unjust.”
It maintained the PTI had and would continue to support state institutions for the defense of the homeland, “because no compromise can be made on national security.”
Separately, in a statement posted on his official X account, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi alleged the state was “not serious” about combating terrorism and was not incorporating the views of locals into its decision-making. “It is an undeniable fact that 22 major military operations and nearly 14,000 intelligence-based operations have been conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to date, yet terrorism has not been completely eradicated,” he wrote, stating this raised questions about “serious flaws” in policymaking and implementation.
“In this context, the fundamental question stands: what concrete guarantee exists this time that another military operation will truly lay the foundation for sustainable peace?” he questioned, stressing on the need for transparency in policymaking, clear objectives, and measurable results to ensure any new initiative resulted in peace rather than further uncertainty.
“To find a lasting solution to the problem of terrorism and unrest, instead of press conferences and unilateral decisions, implementation should be based on the consensus declaration of a national jirga in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly comprising all political and religious parties and individuals from every school of thought,” he added.