On Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphatically claimed that former army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, PTI founder, and retired Gen Faiz Hameed were instrumental in the resettlement of the Taliban within Pakistan.
Addressing the media in Islamabad, Asif passionately stated that Pakistan had spearheaded the war against terrorism, contrasting this with the tenure of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, whom he criticized for not genuinely combating militancy.
He elaborated that the United States had ostensibly engaged in wars in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan under the guise of countering terrorism, yet Pakistan endured the harshest impact from extremism. ‘What impact does it have if we handed over a terrorist to the US?’ he pondered aloud, underscoring the futility of such actions.
Asif emphasized Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the battle against terrorism. He pointed out that with the US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, Washington left behind sophisticated weaponry, thereby exacerbating security threats. ‘If the US is now actively retrieving its arms, it’s indeed a commendable step forward,’ he observed.
Turning to the tumultuous political landscape, the PML-N leader provocatively questioned if opposition parties had ever shown any genuine willingness for reconciliation. ‘Repeated assaults on the federal government have been their modus operandi, and now, they’re hinting at another attack post-Eid. Reconciliation is a relic of the past – our political sphere will henceforth thrive on resistance,’ he proclaimed with resolve.
Shifting focus to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Asif called on the provincial government to take responsibility for counterterrorism efforts. “The situation in Parachinar is in plain sight, yet that region is not under our administration.”
Gen Bajwa, the PTI founder, and Gen Faiz decided to resettle the Taliban in Pakistan and it was a joint decision. “My stance on this matter is documented in parliamentary proceedings, where they had lauded the move. Now, Gen Faiz is behind bars, while General Bajwa is abroad.” he said.
Taking a dig at the PTI founder, he criticised his foreign policy manoeuvres, particularly his claims of diplomatic interference. “He played the letter game, giving it global attention, but the outcome will be the same as before. Imran Khan does not rely on political counsel; only mysticism seems to guide him,” he said.
He also accused former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak of overseeing rampant corruption in the province.