In Islamabad, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari strongly condemned the “terrorist resettlement policy” implemented by the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Bilawal called for a comprehensive investigation into the release of banned individuals linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and raised questions about the decision to allow them to settle in the tribal areas, a move attributed to former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
During a press conference at the Ministry of Interior, held after his visit to the newly established ‘The Wall of Martyrs’ within the same building, Bilawal expressed apprehension about engaging with terrorists who had previously been defeated by the police, army, and people of Pakistan. He criticized the decision for lacking parliamentary or public input, accusing it of undermining the sacrifices made by the country’s martyrs.
Bilawal claimed that terrorists were released from Pakistani prisons, including those responsible for attacks on Pakistani soil from Afghanistan. He asserted that Imran Khan invited these individuals to settle in the tribal areas and called for a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Expressing gratitude to Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti for organizing the “Wall of Martyrs” ceremony, Bilawal urged the Pakistani government to reflect on how decisions with significant implications could be made overnight without parliamentary approval, potentially jeopardizing the country’s ongoing struggle against terrorism.
In response to queries, Bilawal emphasized the need for an investigation into those responsible for the decision, understanding their intentions, and ensuring that such decisions are not repeated in the future. He underscored that the priority should be bringing terrorists involved in serious crimes to justice and fostering collaboration with Afghanistan to collectively combat terrorism.
In a rebuttal, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan accused Bilawal of deceiving the nation, claiming that former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and ex-DG ISI Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed briefed the parliamentary committee on this matter. Ayub challenged the credibility of Bilawal’s statement, suggesting that those doubting his claims could consult the committee participants present during the briefing, where Bilawal allegedly endorsed the state’s move of resettling the outlawed individuals. Ayub noted that Bilawal did not object to the plan, and the meeting took place in the National Assembly Hall in 2021. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also addressed the allegations of resettling terrorists from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in the country in January, discussing the need for talks with the TTP and the plan to resettle their members to prevent terror activities on Pakistani soil. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the Taliban for a peaceful settlement when the Afghan Taliban seized power in Afghanistan during a seminar on the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan.
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