ISLAMABAD (MNN); The federal government on Monday strongly criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over his remarks questioning claims that Afghan soil was being used for terrorism against Pakistan.
During a media interaction at the residence of PTI leader Alamgir Khan on Sunday night, Afridi said the state should present evidence to support allegations that militants were operating from Afghanistan, adding that other countries sharing borders with Afghanistan did not raise similar complaints. The video clip was later shared by state broadcaster PTV on social media platform X.
Reacting sharply, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on X that Afridi was speaking like a “spokesperson for Afghanistan,” calling his remarks condemnable and shameful. He said the world had already witnessed clear evidence of support by the Afghan Taliban regime for terrorists, and there was irrefutable proof that Afghan territory was being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Tarar accused Afridi of hypocrisy and said Pakistan had made immense sacrifices in its fight against terrorism. He alleged that the PTI consistently facilitated terrorists through its statements, adding that Pakistan’s progress was unacceptable to Fitna al Khawarij, which was why the country was being targeted. He urged the KP chief minister to come to his senses.
Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry also lashed out at Afridi’s remarks, saying it had been PTI’s consistent policy to create uncertainty on national security issues. He said the party often avoided clearly naming terrorists and made statements that spread confusion among the public.
Chaudhry held neighbouring countries responsible for terrorism, alleging that one was financing while another was executing attacks. He said more than two dozen countries had acknowledged that Afghan soil was being used for terrorism and accused the PTI of deliberately spreading doubt, opposing military operations and resisting action against illegal Afghan nationals.
The state minister questioned what he termed PTI’s “soft attitude” towards militants, alleging that no PTI leader or worker had been targeted in terrorist attacks over the past 11 years. He warned that creating ambiguity allowed groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan to operate and gain public sympathy.
Referring to PTI’s street protests, Chaudhry asked whether party leaders had visited families of martyrs, adding that the party stood against the national narrative because it benefited from doing so. He warned that no one, regardless of position, would be allowed to undermine the national stance on terrorism.
He said the PTI was free to launch political movements but adopting a soft narrative on terrorism would not be tolerated. He added that sympathisers of terrorists would be treated like terrorists, stressing that there was no space for terrorism in Pakistan.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry termed Afridi’s remarks disturbing and said KP had suffered the most from terrorism. He said that during talks with the Afghan Taliban in Doha and Istanbul, Afghan representatives did not deny that their soil was being used for cross-border terrorism, though they claimed lack of control.
He added that Pakistan had presented evidence and footage at international forums showing terrorists crossing over from Afghanistan. Stressing that Pakistan had hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, he said the country remained friendly towards Afghanistan but would not compromise on its internal security.
