- Gohar rejects Tarar’s claim, calling his comments reckless and divisive.
- Tarar makes comments in the Lahore press related to the suicide attack.
- The information minister refers to Imran Khan’s earlier TTP resettlement plan.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali on Saturday condemned Information Minister Atta Tarar’s allegation that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s ruling party was the reason behind the current spate of terrorism, calling it reckless and divisive at a time of national mourning.
The minister made these remarks at a press conference in Lahore along with religious scholars, aimed at expressing solidarity and national unity after Friday’s suicide attack at an imambagah in Islamabad.
Indirectly referring to former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s plan to settle fighters of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in civilian areas, Tarar said the same thinking was behind the current rise in violence.
Tarar also commented, 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 immediately apologize. “People are grieving, funerals are being held and the nation needs unity right now.”
“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 Imambangah complex in the Taralai Kalan area on the outskirts of Islamabad, then detonated a bomb that killed 33 people and himself, and injured dozens.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Saturday that the mastermind of the Islamabad suicide bombing, linked to the banned Daesh group, 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 Peshawar and Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa immediately after the blast.
According The newsAuthorities also detained the suicide bomber’s brother-in-law, who is reportedly a central figure in the network’s planning and logistical support.
He has been transferred to a central investigation center for high-level interrogation. The investigation also extended to residential areas of Islamabad, where the attacker’s mother was detained in an exclusive 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.
The researchers further alleged that technical and human intelligence has uncovered a link between Daesh and Indian intelligence agencies, something development officials believe will help dismantle the remaining militant cells in Pakistan.
Forensic analysis indicates that the suicide vest used in the attack contained approximately four to six kilograms of high explosives.
