Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused former military officials and former Imran Khan president of orchestrated the Taliban resettlement in Pakistan on Thursday – a decision that he said aggravated the country’s security situation.
Addressing journalists in Islamabad, Asif allegedly alleged that the former general chief of the army (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa, the former head of the ISI (retired) Faiz Hameed and Imran Khan have collectively decided to bring Taliban fighters to the country.
He said that the decision had led to a resurgence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and in other parts of the country.
“It was a joint decision … All three played a role by allowing activists to return,” said AIF, adding that his position on the issue was registered in the National Assembly.
He criticized the KP government led by PTI-PTI for his inaction against terrorism, affirming that he favored political battles on the security of his people.
“The KP government is busy fighting Imran Khan’s political war rather than treating terrorism. They must share responsibility for the aggravation situation,” he added.
The Minister also rejected opposition calls to political reconciliation, saying that repeated attacks had closed the dialogue door.
“How can there be a reconciliation when they attacked the state four times and threaten another attack after Eid?” Said Aif. “Resistance policy is the only option that remains.”
He linked the increase in militant activity to the remains of American weapons in Afghanistan after the American withdrawal in 2021, describing him as a major contributor to the security challenges of Pakistan.
Asif defended Pakistan’s decision to present a terrorist sought in in the United States, saying that the country had remained on the front line in the fight against terrorism.