Khawaja Asif Accuses PTI of Supporting Terrorists, Defends Possible Emergency in KP

ISLAMABAD:Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of having links with terrorists, alleging that the party had given them a share in provincial financial resources. He claimed that a war was being waged in Pakistan under Afghanistan’s patronage, with its alleged supporters based in New Delhi.

Speaking on Hum News, Asif said efforts had been made to engage Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but the statements coming from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had become intolerable.

Commenting on the significance of October 12, the defence minister said there was no meaningful comparison between October 12, 2026, and October 12, 1999, apart from the date itself. He recalled that a military dictator had violated the Constitution in 1999, dismissed the elected government and remained in power for eight years.

Asif said Pakistan had experienced several emergencies under constitutional provisions during its 78-year history. However, he argued that the current situation was different, citing what he described as threats from elements creating unrest within the country. He also pointed out that PTI had been governing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 13 years.

The defence minister maintained that the government had made every possible effort to avoid imposing an emergency in the province. However, he criticised the language used by the chief minister and provincial lawmakers, alleging that their statements were contrary to Pakistan’s national interests.

Asif further claimed that whenever terrorism had intensified over the past two to three years, the PTI-led provincial government had failed to issue clear statements condemning it. He also accused the provincial leadership of not adequately responding to alleged violations of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty by the Taliban and Afghanistan.

Referring to the sacrifices made by security personnel, Asif said the conduct and statements of political leaders reflected their positions. He alleged that some had shown disrespect towards those who had sacrificed their lives for the country and had refused to participate in their funeral prayers.

Reiterating his allegations, the defence minister said PTI had become an ally of terrorists and claimed that they had been given a share in both national and provincial financial resources.

His remarks come amid escalating tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration over counterterrorism policy, provincial security and the possibility of imposing emergency rule. The allegations against PTI reflect the federal government’s position and have not been independently established in the statements provided.