‘Go to Afghanistan,’ Talal Chaudhry Tells PTI Amid Heated Exchange

ISLAMABAD-( Mudsassar Iqbal/Web Desk)-Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Monday strongly criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing the party of showing excessive sympathy towards Afghanistan and creating confusion over Pakistan’s national security policy at a time when terrorism incidents are increasing.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, Chaudhry said that if PTI had such strong affection for Afghanistan, its leaders should relocate there. He alleged that PTI’s stance on terrorism had consistently remained unclear, contributing to ambiguity on a critical national issue.

The minister reiterated the government’s claim that terrorist activities were originating from across the Afghan border, adding that several countries had already acknowledged the presence of militant sanctuaries and training camps in Afghanistan. He questioned why PTI continued to avoid clearly identifying the source of terrorism.

Chaudhry also criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s remarks about sharing evidence with Afghanistan, asking whether the provincial leadership was still uncertain about the origins of terrorism. He further alleged that PTI had shown unwarranted leniency towards militants, noting that no senior PTI leader or office-bearer had been targeted in terror attacks over the past 11 years, unlike leaders from other political parties in the province.

PTI has repeatedly rejected allegations of non-cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and denied having any links or soft stance towards militant groups.

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He said formations came from Afghanistan and training camps were operating there, accusing PTI of knowingly creating confusion. He said PTI opposed operations and refused to send back illegal Afghan nationals.

Chaudhry further said that PTI’s spokesperson did not openly condemn terrorists and even today refrains from standing with security forces. He criticised PTI’s street movement, saying the party visited three provinces but did not stand with the families of martyrs anywhere.

Referring to security data, he said 2025 witnessed the highest number of terrorism incidents in Pakistan’s history, with the majority occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that Safe City projects were not established in the province to avoid terrorists being caught, and that forensic labs were deliberately not set up.

The minister further criticised PTI for becoming beneficiaries of an ambiguous narrative and warned that no vague or contradictory talk against the national narrative would be tolerated, whether from a chief minister or an ordinary political leader.

He pointed out that more than 1,200 people had been martyred and questioned how much more blood was needed to awaken PTI’s conscience, noting that 60% to 70% of terrorism incidents occurred in KP.

Chaudhry said there was no space for terrorism in Pakistan and terrorists would be treated as brutally as they deserved. He criticised attempts to gain political mileage by shaping narratives while thousands had laid down their lives.

In response to a question, he said that counterterrorism meetings were held twice every month, but the KP chief minister did not attend them.

Responding to another question, he said the federal government was political in nature and did not want to use the governor’s rule.