ISLAMABAD: Senior analysts Manzoor Ali Khan and Muneeb Farooq have opposed the ongoing unfounded accusations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the state institutions, saying that the demand for proof regarding the allegations of terrorism is not only unreasonable but also comic, especially if we take the historical background of terrorism in Pakistan into account.
During a private TV program, analyst Muneeb Farooq forthrightly condemned those demanding evidence of Afghanistan’s participation in terrorism. He claimed it is nonsensical for any responsible person to ask for proof that Afghanistan-based terrorist groups are behind the attacks in Pakistan.
“History is replete with the threat of terrorism, which has been very clear and well-documented,” was the statement made by Farooq. By bringing up the identity and the link of the particular terrorists to Afghanistan, he pointed out that the area where the 2014 Army Public School (APS) attack was perpetrated is the same one which has had cases filed against the very attackers leading to their convictions. Additionally, he said that some of the terrorists who had a role in the assassination of the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had also arrived from Afghanistan.
Farooq underscored the cost that Pakistan’s security forces have paid for their operations, asserting that the Army, Rangers, and Frontier Corps (FC) are not conducting operations for sake of adventure or a pastime. “They put their lives in danger for the protection of the nation.” Do you want me to say that the soldiers of the Army or Rangers or FC would like their children or comrades to be martyred? Certainly not. This is not a diversion for them; it is their obligation,” Farooq said.
Manzoor Ali Khan: PTI’s Issue Is with the Existence of State Institutions
Analyst Manzoor Ali Khan also weighed in, noting that it is legitimate to disagree with state institutions, but that does not mean the institutions’ core work like counter-terrorism and national security should be disregarded. He pointed out very clearly that PTI’s main issue was not only with political differences but with the very existence of state institutions and their functioning.
Khan was critical of the party for its conduct during incidents such as the May 9 demonstrations and the Ma’rakah Haq (battle for justice) where its activism could have been a threat to national security. “The fundamental problem of the PTI is the existence of state institutions. Some actions taken by the individuals in PTI, especially during the May 9 unrest and Ma’rakah Haq, have been disreputable,” Khan commented.
In addition, he said, “Not only has the whole country been embittered by the fact that PTI once again tried to play the same role it always does among the losers of Ma’rakah Haq, one of our greatest victories but has also made it harder for us to accept one of our most important advances.”
PTI’s Propaganda Is a National Threat
The two analysts agreed that the continuous propaganda of the PTI against state institutions is detrimental to the nation and it creates confusion in the public mind. Farooq and Khan stressed that instead of engaging in unsubstantiated accusations, the real political disagreements should be resolved in a constructive way. They warned that such unsupported claims could be detrimental to the stability of the country.
Farooq concluded, saying, “The priority must be the settlement of real political disputes, not the dissemination of baseless accusations that jeopardize the country’s harmony and safety.”
The experts demanded that all the political powers put aside their personal or party interests and to unite and work towards a stronger Pakistan facing security challenges together.
