In the shadow of yet another brutal suicide bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar unleashed a scathing attack on former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his PTI party, holding them responsible for the country’s terrorism woes. The provocative remarks, delivered with a smile during a Saturday press briefing, have ignited a fresh political firestorm.
The Friday assault on an Imambargah in the capital’s suburbs killed several and injured many, spotlighting vulnerabilities despite advanced monitoring like the Safe City cameras. Tarar rejected claims of security failures outright, pivoting instead to PTI’s record. He hailed past military campaigns—Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb—that had nearly eradicated bombings and pacified Karachi.
‘Everything changed when a certain regime took over,’ Tarar noted cautiously, mindful of his official position. He alluded to PTI’s controversial overtures toward the banned TTP, quoting Khan’s past description of militants as ‘peace-loving brothers’ worthy of dialogue and resettlement.
‘Taliban Khan’s ideology is what we’re suffering from now,’ the minister asserted, crediting prior governments for decisively crushing terror networks by deporting and neutralizing threats. With biting sarcasm, Tarar quipped that PTI bore the blame for terrorism’s comeback.
PTI responded with outrage on its verified channels, accusing Tarar of insensitivity. ‘Opting for jokes, hate speech, and grins a day after a horrific terror strike reveals their disregard for ordinary Pakistanis,’ one post stated. Labeling him a ‘clown,’ PTI lambasted the administration: ‘Four years in power, yet this jester’s smirking blame game exposes the caliber of leadership handed the reins.’
This latest clash highlights Pakistan’s vicious cycle of violence and vitriol. While terrorists strike at will, politicians trade barbs, offering little solace to a populace weary of fear and finger-pointing. As attacks proliferate, the need for unified action grows urgent, yet partisan divides only widen.