Islamabad, March 17, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will not support any counter-terrorism operation unless it has the backing of the public, emphasizing that national security decisions must be made through consensus rather than unilateral action.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticized the government’s handling of security matters, accusing it of suppressing dissent, imposing “civil martial law,” and failing to address the rising wave of terrorism effectively.
Akram stressed that counter-terrorism efforts cannot be imposed by force and cited past security operations—such as the Swat operation—which were debated in Parliament before being executed.
“If the people do not support an anti-terror operation, neither will PTI,” he asserted, adding that Pakistan’s security situation has deteriorated since 2022, with terrorist incidents on the rise. He attributed this to a widening gap between the public and the state, stating:
“Terrorists know the nation is divided and does not stand with the government. Unity between the public and state institutions is crucial to combating threats.”
Akram accused the government of ruling through force instead of democratic means, alleging that PTI members, social media activists, and political opponents are being abducted for expressing their opinions.
“This is not the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam. People are being abducted for speaking out. If someone has committed a crime, prosecute them in court—not through kidnappings,” he said.
He specifically referenced the recent disappearance of social media activist Haider Saeed, who he claimed was taken away without due process. “Haider is not even officially part of PTI’s social media team, yet he has been picked up. If he has done something wrong, present him before a court instead of abducting him,” he demanded.
Akram also alleged that several PTI social media workers have been arrested and their accounts blocked, stating:
“Five of our social media workers are in custody, yet none have been presented before a judge. This government has turned the legal system into a joke.”
On the political front, Akram revealed that PTI is working to form an opposition alliance and is in discussions with other political leaders to launch nationwide protests against the government soon after Eid.
“We are in contact with other opposition leaders, and our goal is to unite against this oppression,” he stated, confirming that PTI has already held talks with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and is awaiting a meeting with PTI founding chairman Imran Khan before finalizing a joint strategy.
Regarding PTI’s attendance at an upcoming in-camera security briefing, Akram said that the party leadership would decide soon.
“Since it concerns national security, we may participate, but a final decision will be made after internal discussions,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Akram warned the government against ruling through force, stating that only democratic consensus and legal due process can address both security and political crises in the country.
