Army blames KP’s PTI government for rise in terrorism

Kamran Khan said in his latest vlog that the Pakistan Army has taken an unprecedentedly strong stance against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, directly blaming it for enabling terrorism through poor governance and political collusion.

Quoting Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Khan said the military has presented what amounts to a “complete charge sheet” against the KP government led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Army issues tough warning

In a rare press conference at the Peshawar Corps Headquarters, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry said terrorist elements and their facilitators had been “deliberately given space” in KP.

Khan said the DG ISPR described a “political-criminal nexus” behind the province’s rising violence, one that has forced ordinary citizens to pay the price while soldiers continue to sacrifice their lives.

According to Khan, the DG ISPR warned that anyone aiding terrorists—whether for profit or pressure—had three choices: hand them over to the state, work with law enforcement, or be ready for decisive action.

‘Status quo won’t work anymore’

Kamran Khan said Lt. Gen. Chaudhry listed five core reasons for the persistence of terrorism in Pakistan: failure to implement the National Action Plan (NAP), politicization of counterterrorism, India’s use of Afghanistan as a base for anti-Pakistan activities, the presence of weapons and sanctuaries for militants in Afghanistan, and the continued political and local support for terrorist elements.

The DG ISPR, Khan said, expressed frustration over delays in the justice system, revealing that 2,878 terrorism cases in KP have been pending for three years. “If justice is not served on time, how can we hope to end terrorism?” he asked.

Khan noted that the spokesperson also dismissed calls for negotiations with militants. “Do we talk to India after a missile strike? Not every issue can be solved through dialogue,” the DG ISPR was quoted as saying.

Political blame game deepens

Kamran Khan said the DG ISPR’s remarks came shortly after PTI founder Imran Khan, speaking from prison, accused the military of “sabotaging peace” with Afghanistan to appease “anti-Taliban lobbies.” Imran had directed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to seek talks with Afghan leaders to prevent tensions from worsening.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also claimed this week that Imran Khan facilitated the return of militants to Pakistan and that Gandapur was removed for not cooperating with them.

When asked about these allegations, Kamran Khan quoted the DG ISPR as saying the state would never allow “any provincial government that acts against national interests.”

The military spokesperson also reminded that despite earlier commitments, the KP Counter-Terrorism Department still has only 3,200 personnel. “Is this enough to fight terrorism?” he asked.

Kamran Khan said the DG ISPR concluded with a warning: “Pakistan stands at a serious crossroads. Terrorism and political instability cannot coexist — the status quo will no longer be tolerated.”