Atta Tarar: Banned TTP seen as PTI’s militant wing

Information Minister Atta Tarar escalated his criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, saying a perception has taken hold that the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan functions as the party’s militant wing. Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, he accused elements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of undermining stability and claimed criminal mafias were operating within the provincial cabinet.

Tarar praised nationwide resolve against militancy and cited security operations such as Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb as pivotal in degrading terrorist networks. He argued there is no room for extremist violence and vowed the state would continue to target armed groups that threaten citizens.

The minister alleged that certain political actors facilitated the return of militants and questioned why authorities in KP had failed to curb illicit activities, including the use of non-custom-paid vehicles and trade tied to timber and tobacco. He referred to PTI as a movement of chaos and said it had little regard for national sovereignty or the sacrifices of security forces.

PTI leaders rejected the allegations. Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja called for a comprehensive, rights-respecting counterterror strategy and said the party supports eliminating militants from Pakistani soil. The political exchange followed a separate military briefing in which the ISPR highlighted governance contrasts across provinces and linked KP’s rising attacks to a political-criminal nexus.

The government, Tarar said, would not relent in its campaign against terrorism and would press ahead with measures to restore order in the province and beyond.