ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formally distanced itself from individuals and social media accounts involved in trolling and insulting security forces following recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan.
According to The News, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the party’s position is clear and unambiguous. He said PTI has no association with those who criticise or mock security forces, particularly the soldiers martyred in counterterrorism operations.
Sheikh Waqas Akram said the party’s policy, as set by PTI’s founding chairman, recognises the military as Pakistan’s own institution and vital to the country’s survival. He said attempts to ridicule or weaken security institutions are unacceptable.
However, party sources told The News that despite the official stance, PTI’s leadership feels increasingly threatened by its own social media trolls. The sources said PTI’s social media platforms are operated from abroad and remain outside the control of the party chairman, the information secretary, and even the political committee.
The clarification comes days after the Indian-backed, proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out coordinated attacks in 12 locations across eight districts of Balochistan. Security forces thwarted the attacks through swift operations and killed 204 terrorists over four days.
Also Read: Death Toll of BLA Militants Jumps to 204 as Forces Kill 20 More in Raids Last Night
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly that the terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 17 security personnel and 33 civilians.
He said the state would not hold any talks with terrorists and would respond with full force to future attacks.
