In what appears to be a major policy shift, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has said that it would target Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz if they didn’t ‘mend their ways’.
“If these two parties remain firm on their position and continue to be slaves of the army, then action will be taken against their leading people,” said a statement issued by the terror outfit on Wednesday.
The statement further read that, “People should avoid getting close to such leading people.”
Turning its guns towards Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, the group said he gave the US “the status of mother to quench the thirst of his mother’s love,” thereby declaring a “war against TTP.”
It apparently referred to the foreign minister’s statement a day earlier (Jan 3) on quitting the policy of appeasing terrorists.
The TTP also criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying he “pushed his whole party into this war going against TTP for the sake of pleasing the US.”
On Monday (Jan 2), the National Security Committee (NSC) reiterated its resolve to have “zero tolerance for terrorism” in Pakistan and reaffirmed its “determination” to enforce the writ of the state against any and all entities who resort to violence.
In its session, the forum said acts of terror will be dealt with full force of the state. “Pakistan’s security is uncompromisable and the the state’s writ will be maintained on every inch of it.”
Addressing the session, the premier had emphasised that the war against terrorism will be led by federal and provincial governments as per National Action Plan, and in accordance with National Internal Security Policy.
The NSC was informed during Monday’s session that Provincial Apex Committees were being revived, and the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, especially provincial counterterrorism departments (CTDs), will be improved to the “required standards”.
The forum had resolved that “no country would be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists” and “Pakistan reserves all rights… to safeguard her people”.
In late November 2022, the outlawed TTP announced it was calling off a ceasefire agreed with the government in June last, and ordered its members to carry out attacks across the country.
