ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, Khawaja Asif, the minister of defense, accused the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of openly associating with the Taliban and leading the pro-Taliban attitude. The defense minister further asserted that parliamentarians were informed not to worry about the Taliban when they voiced concerns in the assembly. Khawaja Asif accused former army leader Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, former ISI chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, and then-prime minister Imran Khan of encouraging Taliban insurgents to return and reside in Pakistan.
He added that the Taliban briefings were given in a very optimistic manner, claiming that specific plans were presented and that it was anticipated that the Taliban will reappear and play a beneficial role. According to Khawaja Asif, “Bajwa and Faiz assured politicians that Taliban fighters would be peacefully absorbed into local communities.” The defense minister further asserted that the death sentence of a terrorist who had been found guilty had been later mitigated and that a militant known as the “Butcher of Swat” had been recognized during briefings.
