PTI leader Omar Ayub has alleged that former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was the proponent of peace talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2021. Ayub stated that General Bajwa emphasized in a National Security Committee meeting that “all conflicts end through negotiations.”
Ayub dismissed recent allegations by ISPR DG Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, calling them a “recycled script.” He clarified that the decision to negotiate with the TTP had the consensus of all political parties present in the 2021 meeting.
The ISPR DG had earlier accused the PTI-led government of enabling TTP’s resurgence through dialogues, stating that the nation is now “paying in blood” for those decisions.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser expressed concern over the current tensions with Afghanistan and stressed the need for dialogue to resolve the issues. He suggested forming a jirga comprising Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political leadership to mediate the conflict.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram emphasized the state’s responsibility to uphold justice. He warned against labeling critics as anti-state, arguing that such actions deepen unrest and erode public trust.
Akram criticized the government’s response to PTI’s protests, questioning the invocation of Article 245 and the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. He underscored that constructive criticism is a democratic right and suppressing it exacerbates tensions in the country.
