LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday alleged that the proscribed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is “practically serving as the militant wing” of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Tarar claimed that a nexus between terrorists and certain political figures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was taking shape, undermining peace efforts in the region.
He accused the KP government of facilitating smuggling and illegal trade activities — including the movement of non-custom-paid vehicles, fuel smuggling, and trafficking of food items and narcotics — asserting that such networks fund militant groups and worsen the security situation.
“The state of Pakistan will never allow any political party to align with terrorists,” Tarar said, adding that the government remains resolute in eliminating terrorism and will not permit militants to operate unchecked. He further alleged that criminal elements within PTI are being financed through black money and that internal divisions have surfaced over the nomination of Sohail Afridi as KP chief minister.
Meanwhile, PTI strongly warned against any unconstitutional measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reaffirmed its support for Sohail Afridi, nominated by party founder Imran Khan for the chief minister’s post.
At a joint press conference in Peshawar, PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja, Asad Qaiser, and Junaid Akbar urged respect for the province’s democratic mandate and rejected Tarar’s claims, calling them “baseless and divisive.”
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