Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday strongly criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for propagating a “false narrative” surrounding the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express. Addressing the National Assembly, Asif accused PTI’s social media channels of distorting the facts of the tragic incident and weakening national solidarity by spreading misinformation.
Asif expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives in the attack and rebuked PTI for misrepresenting the situation. He highlighted how PTI-linked social media accounts had falsely asserted that the terrorists had released hostages, rather than recognizing the efforts and sacrifices made by the armed forces during the rescue operation.
He also took aim at PTI leaders residing abroad, accusing them of persistently criticizing national institutions while evading accountability. Asif described PTI’s leadership as beneficiaries of past military regimes, noting their historical support for martial law and constitutional violations.
While acknowledging that his own party had once backed a military regime, Asif emphasized that they had the integrity to admit their past mistakes. He urged all political leaders to reflect on historical errors to help the nation progress.
Asif condemned PTI’s efforts to politicize terrorism and national security, asserting that political agendas should never take precedence over the country’s unity and stability. He called on leaders to prioritize national interests over personal gains and to honor the sacrifices made by the armed forces in combating terrorism.
This statement follows a two-day operation by security forces to eliminate the terrorists who had hijacked the Jaffar Express. The incident began on Tuesday when separatist militants targeted the train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, damaging the railway track with explosives and launching rocket attacks.
