Awami National Party (ANP) President, Senator Aimal Wali Khan, has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of reintroducing 40,000 terrorists into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and branded the party as the Taliban’s political wing.
Khan made these remarks during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday.
Sharply criticizing PTI’s role in the political landscape of Pakistan, Khan targeted its founder, Imran Khan, stating, “He’s no advocate of democracy.” He accused Imran Khan of only challenging state institutions when it serves his own agenda, suggesting that PTI’s approach is driven by opportunism.
The ANP President further dismissed PTI’s legitimacy, claiming that external influences fueled the party’s rise. “The West, particularly Israel, played a role in PTI’s emergence, which is why it never became a genuine political force,” Khan stated, emphasizing his belief that PTI lacks an authentic foundation.
Commenting on the political situation in K-P, Khan alleged that PTI’s ascent to power involved collaboration with terrorist elements. He questioned the integrity of the electoral process, asking, “Elections in three provinces are contested, yet the K-P elections are considered fair. How can that be?”
Looking ahead to the potential political landscape, Khan suggested that several PTI figures, including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, are not truly loyal to Imran Khan but are aligned with other influences.
Khan’s statements have sparked intense debate, highlighting PTI’s controversial role in K-P politics and raising concerns about the party’s affiliations and motivations.