KOHAT: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar has said the nation will continue its fight against terrorism until the menace is eliminated, while criticizing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its response to the situation in the province.
Addressing workers in Kohat, Atta Tarar said the atmosphere in the city was mournful as brave soldiers had sacrificed their lives defending the country.
He said the morale of injured soldiers receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) was admirable. He added that personnel and officers of the Pakistan Army and police had participated bravely in the operation.
“We will jointly eliminate the menace of terrorism,” Atta Tarar said, adding that terrorists were carrying out attacks while hiding.
The federal minister said the father of martyred soldier Faheem had described his son’s martyrdom as a matter of pride. He said terrorists could not weaken the nation’s resolve.
Atta Tarar also questioned the whereabouts of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi at the time of the incident in Kohat. He alleged that Afridi was in Lahore for political point-scoring and accused him of making TikTok videos there.
The minister further criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in KP, alleging that it had left the province in poor condition.
He called on PTI leader Junaid Akbar to apologize to the nation over what he described as an inflammatory statement.
“We work on development projects, while they work on destruction,” Atta Tarar said.
He alleged that the KP government’s focus was on mining contracts and claimed that corruption was increasing in the province. He also alleged that contracts were being awarded to favored individuals in return for payments.
Atta Tarar questioned the provincial government’s performance in education, healthcare and public welfare. He also claimed that the province did not even have a forensic laboratory to facilitate the police.
The federal minister said there was no shortage of resources or funds, but alleged that there was a lack of political will.
Commenting on the planned protest, Atta Tarar said no one would be allowed to shut down Islamabad and that armed groups would not be permitted to move towards the federal capital.
He said peaceful protest was not the PTI’s tradition and alleged that peaceful people do not leave their homes carrying nails and sticks.
Atta Tarar also highlighted development projects in Kohat, saying that projects such as the Kohat Tunnel and motorway had been built during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure.
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