Retired Gen Bajwa, Faiz Hameed and PTI founder decided to settle Taliban in Pakistan: Khawaja Asif
Pakistan
If we handed over a terrorist to the US, what difference does it make? Asif remarked
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed on Thursday that former army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, PTI founder, and retired Gen Faiz Hameed had settled Taliban in Pakistan.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Asif asserted that Pakistan initiated the war against terrorism, while former military ruler Pervez Musharraf did not truly fight militancy.
He argued that the United States waged wars in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan under the pretext of fighting terrorism, but Pakistan had borne the brunt of extremism. "If we handed over a terrorist to the US, what difference does it make?" he remarked.
He highlighted that Pakistan remained on the frontline of fight against terrorism. Referring to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, he noted that Washington had left behind high-tech weaponry, which had worsened security threats. "If the US is now retrieving its arms, that is a positive step," he added.
Commenting on the political climate, the PML-N leader questioned whether opposition parties had ever shown an inclination for reconciliation. "They have attacked the federal government multiple times and are now threatening another assault after Eid. The era of conciliation is over - politics will now be based on resistance," he declared.
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Shifting focus to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Asif called on the provincial government to take responsibility for counterterrorism efforts. "The situation in Parachinar is in plain sight, yet that region is not under our administration."
Gen Bajwa, the PTI founder, and Gen Faiz decided to resettle the Taliban in Pakistan and it was a joint decision. "My stance on this matter is documented in parliamentary proceedings, where they had lauded the move. Now, Gen Faiz is behind bars, while General Bajwa is abroad." he said.
Taking a dig at the PTI founder, he criticised his foreign policy manoeuvres, particularly his claims of diplomatic interference. "He played the letter game, giving it global attention, but the outcome will be the same as before. Imran Khan does not rely on political counsel; only mysticism seems to guide him," he said.
He also accused former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak of overseeing rampant corruption in the province.
