Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar on Saturday accused the PTI of being behind the recent surge in terrorism across Pakistan. He said the return of attacks shows the consequences of previous political decisions. Tarar vowed that the government would eliminate terrorism completely.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Tarar said terrorists have no religion and only aim to spread fear. He added that authorities are taking strong measures to protect mosques, imambargahs, and other public centers. He stressed that every attack will be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.
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The minister confirmed that the mastermind of the Islamabad suicide attack, an Afghan national, has been arrested along with four facilitators. He said handlers involved in attacks have been identified and will face strict punishment. Tarar emphasized that no terrorist would be allowed to operate freely in Pakistan.
Tarar criticized previous policies that encouraged dialogue with militants, calling it a mistake. He said earlier governments labeled extremists as “peaceful” and tried negotiating with them. According to him, this leniency allowed terrorism to re-emerge and put ordinary citizens at risk.
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He concluded by asserting that the government had previously cleared the country of terrorists from affected areas. Now, the recent attacks are a result of PTI’s decisions, he said. Tarar promised relentless action to ensure the safety of all Pakistanis.