- Gohar rejects Tarar’s claim, calling remarks reckless and divisive.
- Tarar makes remarks to Lahore press in connection with suicide attacks.
- Information Minister refers to Imran Khan’s earlier TTP resettlement plan.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali on Saturday rejected Information Minister Atta Tarar’s charge that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s ruling party was behind the ongoing wave of terrorism, calling it reckless and divisive at a time of national grief.
The minister made the remarks at a press conference in Lahore along with religious scholars aimed at expressing solidarity and national unity following Friday’s suicide attack on an Islamabad imambargah.
Referring indirectly to former prime minister Imran Khan’s plan to settle fighters from the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in civilian areas, Tarar said the same mindset was behind the current surge in violence.
Tarar also remarked with a smile that “Abb yeh jo dehshatgardi waapis ayi hai, iss kay peechay PTI hai (PTI is behind this resurgence of terrorism).”
In his damning reaction, Gohar called the minister’s statement “irresponsible” and said he should apologize immediately. “People are grieving, funerals are being held and the nation needs unity at this time.”
“Now is the time to condemn terrorism together. Statements like this only divide the country,” he said, adding, “PTI condemns all acts of violence and stands with the nation.”
In Friday’s attack, a man opened fire on the Khadija al-Kubra Imambargah complex in the Taralai Kalan area on the outskirts of Islamabad, then detonated a bomb that killed 33 people and himself and wounded dozens.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Saturday that the mastermind behind the suicide bombing in Islamabad, linked to the banned group Daesh, is in Pakistan’s custody along with the attacker’s facilitators.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said the mastermind and facilitators were arrested in raids conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar and Nowshera immediately after the blast.
According to The newsauthorities also arrested the suicide bomber’s brother-in-law, who is allegedly a central figure in planning and logistical support for the network.
He has been transferred to a central investigative facility for high-level questioning. The investigation also extended into Islamabad’s residential areas, where the bomber’s mother was arrested from an upscale neighborhood.
Intelligence officials stated: “They have concrete evidence linking her to the group’s activities.” Security sources said the suicide mission was planned by Daesh elements operating in Afghanistan.
Investigators further claimed that technical and human intelligence has revealed a link between Daesh and Indian intelligence services – a development official believes will help dismantle remaining militant cells in Pakistan.
Forensic analyzes indicate that the suicide vest used in the attack contained approximately four to six kilograms of high explosive.
