ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif disclosed on Monday that ex-army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former ISI head Faiz Hamid managed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
(TTP) negotiations, providing only brief updates to the government. Asif noted that during the PTI rule, around 5,000-6,000 TTP fighters received shelter and amnesty. He criticized the civilian government’s failure to meet its responsibilities, despite the military conducting operations against terrorists.
Asif highlighted that former generals portrayed an overly optimistic picture of the situation in Swat. He added that politicians like Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, who questioned the briefings, were largely silenced.
The defence minister’s comments come as the Shehbaz Sharif-led government announced a new anti-terror operation, “Azm-e-Istehkam,” in response to rising terror incidents. The Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP) made the decision, involving provincial chief ministers, military leaders, and senior officials. The initiative aims to streamline efforts to combat extremism and terrorism comprehensively.
However, the PTI, the main opposition party, opposes the operation, demanding parliamentary discussion before approval. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar emphasized that no committee should override parliamentary authority.
Reflecting on his interactions with Afghan officials, Asif mentioned he did not sense hostility from them. He reiterated Pakistan’s call for Kabul’s Taliban-led government to prevent terrorist activities against Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Asif also criticized Pakistan’s history of military engagements under Generals Zia ul Haq and Pervez Musharraf, suggesting these wars were fought to extend their rule, which harmed the country’s religious, social, and societal structures.
Addressing mob violence, Asif condemned the misuse of blasphemy accusations for personal vendettas and emphasized protecting minority rights. He noted PTI’s opposition to a National Assembly resolution aimed at ensuring the safety of minority communities, following recent lynching incidents over blasphemy allegations.
Last month, a Christian man in his seventies was attacked by a mob in Sargodha, Punjab, and later died. Additionally, over 90 Christian homes and 21 churches were vandalized in Faisalabad’s Jaranwala tehsil last year, highlighting ongoing religious tensions.