Bilawal demands probe into PTI's ‘terrorist resettlement policy’

PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan hits back at PPP chairman, accuses him of deceiving nation

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari strongly criticised the "terrorist resettlement policy" of the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.

Bilawal called for a comprehensive inquiry into the release of outlawed individuals associated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and questioned the decision to invite them to settle in the tribal areas of the country by former prime minister Imran Khan.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Interior after visiting the recently established 'The Wall of Martyrs' within the same building, Bilawal expressed concern over a decision that purportedly allowed engagement with terrorists previously defeated by the police, army, and people of Pakistan.

“پارلیمان اور پاکستان کے عوام سے پوچھے بغیر ایک فیصلہ کے تحت جن دہشتگردوں کو آپ کی فوج، پولیس اور عوام نے قربانی دے کر ہروایا تھا ان کے ساتھ بات چیت کی گئی، جو سنگین دہشت گردی کے واقعات میں ملوث تھے انہیں پاکستان اور افغانستان کی جیلوں سے نکالا گیا اور عمران خان نے انہیں دوبارہ… pic.twitter.com/JyclbXukXM

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 11, 2023

He criticised the decision for lacking parliamentary or public input, accusing it of undermining the efforts of the country's martyrs.

Bilawal asserted that terrorists were released from prisons in Pakistan, including those responsible for attacks on Pakistani soil from Afghanistan. He claimed that Imran Khan invited these individuals to settle in the tribal areas and called for a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Bilawal expressed gratitude to Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti for organising the "Wall of Martyrs" ceremony, an initiative appreciated by the PPP.

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He urged the Pakistani government to reflect on how decisions with such significant implications could be made overnight without parliamentary approval, putting the country's ongoing struggle against terrorism at risk.

Responding to questions, Bilawal emphasised the need to investigate those involved in the decision, understand their intentions, and ensure that such decisions are not made in the future.

The PPP chairman highlighted that the country's priority should be bringing terrorists involved in serious crimes to justice and promoting collaboration with Afghanistan to collectively combat terrorism.

Ayub hits back at Bilawal

In response to Bilawal's accusations, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan accused the PPP chairman of deceiving the nation.

Ayub claimed that former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and ex DG-ISI Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed briefed the parliamentary committee on this matter. He challenged the credibility of Bilawal's statement, stating that those doubting his assertions could consult the committee participants present during the briefing, where Bilawal allegedly endorsed the state’s move of resettling the outlawed individuals. Ayub noted that Bilawal did not object to the plan, and the meeting took place in the National Assembly Hall in 2021.

Former prime minister Imran Khan also addressed the allegations of resettling terrorists from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in the country in January. He discussed the need for talks with the TTP and the plan to resettle their members to avoid terror activities on Pakistani soil. He emphasised the importance of engaging with the Taliban for a peaceful settlement when the Afghan Taliban seized power in Afghanistan during a seminar on the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan.