PTI wants public support for anti-terror operation before backing it

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared that it will not support any counter-terrorism operation unless it has public approval, arguing that national security decisions must be made through consensus. The party also accused the government of imposing a "civil martial law", suppressing dissent, and failing to address rising terrorism effectively. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said that the current administration is silencing opposition voices and making arbitrary arrests. He criticised the handling of security matters, stating that military operations require public confidence to be successful. "Decisions cannot be imposed through force. If the people do not support an anti-terror operation, neither will PTI," Akram said. He compared the current situation to past security efforts, such as the Swat operation, which was debated in Parliament before being implemented. He further claimed that Pakistan's security situation has worsened since 2022, with an increase in terrorist incidents. According to him, a major reason for this is the widening gap between the public and the state. "Terrorists know the nation is divided and does not stand with the government," he said, adding that unity between the public and state institutions was crucial to combatting threats. Akram accused the government of running the country through force rather than democratic means, stating that Pakistan was effectively under "civil martial law." He alleged that anyone speaking against the administration was being silenced, including PTI members and social media activists. "This is not the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam. People are being abducted for expressing their opinions. If someone has committed a crime, prosecute them in court, not through kidnappings," he said. He referenced the recent disappearance of social media activist Haider Saeed, claiming that he was taken away without due process. "Haider is not even officially part of PTI’s social media team, yet he has been picked up. If he has done something wrong, present him before a court instead of abducting him," he demanded. The PTI leader also alleged that several other social media workers have been arrested and that their accounts were being shut down. "Five of our social media workers are in custody, yet none have been presented before a judge. This government has turned the legal system into a joke," he added. On the political front, Akram revealed that PTI was actively working to form an opposition alliance. He said that the party aims to launch nationwide protests against the government soon after Eid. "We are in contact with other opposition leaders, and our goal is to unite against this oppression," he stated. He confirmed that PTI has already held talks with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and now onlya meeting with PTI founding chairman Imran Khan is awaited. "Once we finalise matters with Imran Khan, we will move forward with a joint strategy," he said. Regarding PTI’s participation in an upcoming in-camera security briefing, Akram said the party’s leadership would decide soon. "Since it concerns national security, we may participate, but a final decision will be made after internal discussions," he added. Concluding his remarks, Akram warned the government against ruling through force, stating that only democratic consensus and legal due process can address both security and political crises in the country.

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