Islamabad: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has claimed that back-channel contacts have been established between the government and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In this regard, the Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the government and certain individuals within the PTI are in contact via back channels. He remarked that if the PTI wishes to come to Islamabad, they may do so—the government will handle the situation—but the provincial government ought to focus on working for the welfare of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He noted that the health and education systems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have completely collapsed, while the postponement of the sit-in has eroded the PTI’s political standing.
Tarar asserted that there should be genuine public rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that the current administration should step down; however, he clarified that there is currently no possibility of imposing Governor’s Rule in the province.
He stated that while he has no concern with the provincial government’s politics per se, Sohail Afridi and his cabinet must clarify whether they stand with the terrorists or against them.
He alleged that the PTI fostered terrorism over a period of twelve and a half years; he lamented that while the government is left to collect the bodies of citizens and security personnel, the PTI is preoccupied with politics.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has failed to provide modern weaponry to the police; furthermore, no effective measures have been taken regarding police training or the ‘Safe City’ project.
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Atta Tarar stated that 4,600 incidents of terrorism occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year, resulting in 472 fatalities and over 1,500 injuries. Far from confronting the terrorists, the provincial government does not even issue statements against them, while the Tehreek-e-Insaf has effectively become the ‘B-team’ of the TTP.
