ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Thursday called for a unified national response and an in-camera briefing to the country’s political leadership and all stakeholders regarding the Jaffar Express hijacking.
He unequivocally condemned the actions of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as well as all forms of terrorism and militancy. He demanded the resignation of the prime minister, Balochistan chief minister and interior minister for their failure to ensure national security and protect citizens’ lives.
In a statement, the PTI leader praised the bravery of the soldiers who successfully averted a major human catastrophe by completing the Jaffar Express operation. He expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Jawans and 21 passengers during the rescue operation.
Waqas Akram emphasised that incidents like the Jaffar Express hijacking are national security issues, not political matters. He stated that PTI advocates for a unified national response and stressed that this is a time for introspection, not for ignoring the problem, to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents from recurring and to find a permanent solution. He claimed that PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan had brought normalcy and extinguished the fire of militancy and terrorism in the country through his foresight, wisdom and political sagacity. However, he lamented that terrorism resurfaced when short-sighted and power-hungry individuals were imposed on the country after the PTI-led government was ousted through a regime change conspiracy.
Waqas attributed the resurgence of terrorism to the misguided policies and misplaced priorities of the ruling elites, who he accused of prioritising their own interests over those of the state.
He demanded that a national conference be convened to address the tragic incident, emphasising that the unlawfully incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan should be specifically invited and allowed to participate to devise a lasting solution to the scourge of terrorism.
He alleged that the compromised rulers had ruined and paralysed state institutions through controversial and self-centred constitutional amendments and by appointing inept and handpicked individuals to key positions.
Waqas strongly criticised the current government for politicising state institutions and manipulating laws to target Imran Khan, dismantle PTI, and suppress dissenting voices, rather than addressing the pressing issues facing the country.
He urged the government and the security apparatus to focus on finding solutions instead of scapegoating political opponents and indulging in blame games. He pointed out that the BLA had a long history of militancy, but the state had rarely taken serious or tangible steps to address it.
Waqas emphasised that the ‘installed’ government should take full responsibility for plunging the country into a whirlwind of terrorism and should hand over power to the genuine and truly elected representatives of the people instead of attempting to blame PTI for such incidents.