PTI using ‘Pashtun card’ for political mileage: Ikhtiar Wali

Ikhtiar Wali, the prime minister’s coordinator, has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of inciting political instability and disseminating propaganda using what he called the “Pashtun card,” claiming that the state cannot be held captive.

Regarding the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Wali asserted that during the previous two years, thousands of terrorist attacks had taken place in the province.

He added that there was a firearm shortage at KP’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, meanwhile, stated that the government was still dedicated to its reconciliation strategy and had attempted to use talks to settle political disputes with the opposition.

Chaudhry claimed that PTI was trying to deceive the people about the government’s stance and had purposefully sabotaged the negotiations. He added that resolving the murders of PTI supporters was not one of the party’s top objectives.

Regarding the state of affairs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chaudhry claimed that corruption has been a significant problem in KP for the last 15 years and that the people could see the province’s difficulties.

The remarks coincide with ongoing political tensions between the PTI and the government, as both parties continue to hold opposing views on governance, negotiations, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security situation.