Info minister claims PTI behind social media campaign against armed forces

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday the PTI was behind the propaganda against the armed forces and warned the former ruling party of action. Addressing the media in Lahore, Tarar said the Pakistan Army is the "guarantee of our survival" and that the humiliation of martyrs will not be tolerated. "I condemn the insulting social media campaign launched by a political party against the martyrs and their sacrifices," said the information minister. “Those who are responsible and campaigning for their own political interests will be held accountable. The humiliation of the country's interest and martyrs will not be allowed.” Tarar maintained that social media should be used responsibly and warned the accounts involved in the malicious campaign of action following an investigation.    "Many social media accounts are being operated from abroad but some are also present in Pakistan and the list of these account holders is being prepared," said Tarar. “Those who humiliate our martyrs are enemies of the country. Where does the courage to insult these martyrs come from? Pakistan comes first, and only if the country exists, do politics and politicians exist,” the minister added. The information maintained that the PTI has a 'history' of running derogatory campaigns on social media. Read: Tarar brands PTI ‘anti-national’ The minister further said the PTI backed the May 9 riots and the controversial letter to the IMF, adding that if PTI deemed the protest outside the IMF wrong, the party should condemn it. “The reconciliation should be open for those who were not involved in the May 9 incident, but action should be taken against those seen in the CCTV footage of incidents that day. The names of those campaigning against our institutions will be revealed soon,” the minister said. Tarar assured that the country will not default and the economy was recovering. He asserted minimising government expenditure, privatization of some institutions, restructuring the FBR and expanding the tax net by bringing the elites into the tax bracket. The minister hoped the country would develop under PM Shehbaz's leadership, stating that their priority is to solve issues first. Condemning the terror attack in North Waziristan, Tarar paid tribute to the martyrs and extended his condolences to the families. Earlier, addressing the matter of the protest staged in front of the IMF office abroad, Khan acknowledged its legitimacy but disclaimed any awareness of anti-army sloganeering that might have transpired during the demonstration. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on the other hand asserted that PTI had no involvement in orchestrating a demonstration outside the fund's office. The statements were made amidst accusations of attempting to disrupt the bailout package negotiations with the newly formed government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

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