Says armed protests hallmark of PTI
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of misleading the foreign media during briefing held in Peshawar.
He labelled Gandapur’s allegations as false, inflammatory, and detrimental to national unity. Addressing the media, Tarar emphasised the importance of presenting facts to counter Gandapur’s claims. He criticised the PTI leader’s tendency to issue provocative statements, saying, “These baseless accusations are a hallmark of their divisive politics.”
Attaullah slammed PTI for having a history of violent tactics as he strongly criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s warning of taking to streets with arms. “Armed protests involving illegal Afghan immigrants are a hallmark of PTI,” the minister said, adding that the PTI had marched on the federal capital with armed groups previously as well.
Tarar recounted past incidents involving PTI leaders, including their 2014 attack on PTV headquarters, which targeted law enforcement officers. He alleged that PTI leaders encourage violent protests but abandon their supporters when confronted by authorities.
Referring to Gandapur’s recent comment that the next PTI call for protests would not be peaceful, Atta Tarar questioned, “Were any of your previous protests peaceful?” He accused the party of fabricating narratives, including claims of mass casualties, and spreading fake images via artificial intelligence.
The minister also criticised former First Lady Bushra Bibi for allegedly inciting PTI workers, questioning why both she and Gandapur fled the scene during protests, leaving their supporters stranded.
Tarar highlighted PTI’s failure to manage provincial affairs, saying the party had failed politically, morally, and administratively. He reiterated the government’s commitment to holding those responsible for the events of May 9 accountable, stating that the nation would never forget the actions of that day. He further accused PTI of orchestrating propaganda campaigns against national institutions on social media.
The accusations came after Gandapur, in a conversation with foreign media, expressed his commitment to following all directives of PTI founder Imran Khan, including a call for civil disobedience. Attaullah Tarar criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership for pursuing a politics of violence.
Terming PTI as Tehreek-e-Intishaar (Movement for Disorder), the Minister said that during the last protest, demonstrators, equipped with modern weapons, sten guns, tear gas shells, and grenades, stormed the federal capital and resorted to unprovoked firing.
The Information Minister said that the guards of Ali Amin Gandapur were seen firing shots, adding that PTI wants to do politics over corpses.
He said they want unrest in the country and they have always sacrificed the state’s interest over political gain. Attaullah Tarar said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have already rejected PTI’s call for protests and will similarly reject their next call for disruption.
