PTI’s long march call has failed to gain traction, says Info Minister Tarar

Islamabad (Web Desk): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Saturday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) proposed long march had lost momentum, calling it another setback for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Addressing a press conference with Prime Minister’s Coordinator Ikhtiar Wali Khan, Tarar said the PTI had made no proper preparations for its planned march to Islamabad.

He claimed the party’s political position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was at its weakest, while the chief minister had lost credibility among PTI leaders and workers. He said any future long march call from Afridi would “not matter anymore,” questioning how the party would save face after the chief minister had, in his words, lost his writ within the party.

Tarar said that had he been in Afridi’s position, he would not have been able to face party workers after withdrawing the march call. Recalling his earlier challenge to the PTI to proceed with the march, he said he knew how much it had troubled the party.

Rejecting the PTI’s claim that the march was its own decision, he said, “This is not their march, nor their will.”

Repeating his allegation that PTI was the “B-team of TTP and C-team of TTA,” Tarar accused the party of being the only political force in Pakistan that did not condemn terrorism. He said that after a terrorist attack, he stayed in Kohat for six hours while PTI leaders remained there for only 15 minutes.

Tarar praised the courage of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa residents, citing the father of martyr Faheemullah, who said he was proud of his son’s sacrifice, and an injured man who told him he would “fight until the last drop of blood” against terrorists.

He accused CM Sohail Afridi of avoiding responsibility for counterterrorism efforts and linked the reluctance to what he called a “terror-crime nexus.”

Info Minister Tarar claimed that more than 4,600 terrorist attacks occurred in KP during 2026, leaving 400 personnel martyred and 1,500 injured, while alleging that the provincial government had failed to take effective action.

“We know that you do not want to take action against terrorists and it is not your policy, but rest assured the federal government is committed to root out terrorism,” he said.

Speaking about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN General Assembly address, Tarar said the speech had been appreciated worldwide and presented Pakistan’s position on issues concerning the Muslim Ummah.

He said Shehbaz highlighted the suffering of Palestinian children and condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine, adding that Palestinian representatives in the hall applauded his remarks.

Tarar said Pakistan’s solidarity with Palestinians was not limited to words and pointed to government assistance for Gaza, the West Bank and other parts of Palestine. He also acknowledged Jamaat-e-Islami and its Khidmat Foundation for helping deliver the aid.

He said the prime minister also raised the issue of Palestinian medical students whose studies had been disrupted, warning that this could affect the future number of doctors in Palestine.

Tarar added that after Jamaat-e-Islami raised the matter with Shehbaz, the government began providing boarding, lodging and educational support to Palestinian students in Pakistan on the premier’s instructions.

The minister said Shehbaz had condemned Islamophobia and Hindutva ideology in India, along with the oppression of Muslims, and called for these matters to be addressed on priority.

He said the prime minister described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and reaffirmed support for the Kashmiri right to self-determination through political, legal, diplomatic and moral means.

Tarar said Shehbaz also referred to Pakistan’s response to India under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and warned that any unilateral withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty would constitute an act of war.

He said the prime minister had declared Makkah Pakistan’s red line and reaffirmed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Tarar described the UN speech as a statesmanlike address reflecting the aspirations of Pakistanis and Muslims. He noted that US President Donald Trump shared the peace-related portion on Truth Social, although the clip also referred to India’s defeat against Pakistan.

He said Pakistan was also playing an important role in addressing international challenges surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb.

Quoting Shehbaz’s closing remarks, Tarar said, “War is an option and peace is also an option, but the courageous one.”

The information minister added that global think tanks had appreciated the speech and that Pakistan was taking practical steps for global peace.

On the new privilege granted by the KP Assembly to its members, Tarar said the Interior Minister had rightly raised the issue, warning that such measures could “further spread lawlessness.”

He said KP had failed to establish a Counter-Terrorism Department, forensic laboratory and Safe City system, while the assembly was now seeking prior permission before a member could be arrested even after allegedly committing a crime. Tarar said this could strengthen a “political-crime nexus.”

The minister maintained that KP police were committed to combating terrorism but accused the PTI government of denying them equipment, capacity-building and an effective system to tackle crime.

Responding to another question, Tarar said a backdoor channel always remained available and alleged that PTI leaders were reluctant to speak openly outside closed meetings. He said the federal government wanted “Awami Raj” in KP through hospitals and schools and ruled out governor’s rule.

He said the press conference was held in the Red Zone to demonstrate that Islamabad’s routes remained open to the public.

Tarar also said the body of Captain Abu Zar Warriach had reached Gujranwala and was buried with full honours.

Paying tribute to the Rahwali-born officer, he said security personnel continued to sacrifice their lives for Pakistan and added that he would also willingly make the same sacrifice if given the opportunity, asking whether any PTI member could say likewise.

The information minister asked the KP government to explain how its annual law-and-order funds were being spent, stressing that the provincial government was primarily responsible for combating terrorism in the province.