JARANWALA (Pakistan News): Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said the government has no objection to political parties holding long or short marches, but stressed that ending terrorism must also be part of the discussion.
Speaking at a press conference in Jaranwala, he said the government had not stopped Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from holding a long march. However, he said it was essential to discuss serious issues such as terrorism as well. Politics aside, all political parties should work together to eliminate terrorism.
Talal Chaudhry said terrorist activities carried out by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), or groups operating from Afghanistan were condemnable. He added that terrorist acts should be denounced regardless of the group responsible.
He claimed that political parties had been targeted in attacks, but no PTI leader or gathering had been targeted by terrorism. He also alleged that the PTI founder had spoken about opening an office for the banned TTP in Pakistan.
The minister further said that the banned TTP had issued a statement opposing governor’s rule and supporting PTI. According to him, governor’s rule was aimed at eliminating terrorism from the province, while state institutions would deal with those supporting terrorist groups.