Omar Ayub Claims Ex-Army Chief Bajwa Pushed for TTP Talks Amid Rising Terrorism Allegations Against PTI
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub has asserted that former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was the driving force behind initiating peace talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Ayub’s comments came as the military blamed the PTI-led government for a resurgence of terrorism.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated on Friday that the security forces were “paying in blood” for the 2021 decisions made by the PTI government, specifically the dialogue with the TTP. He argued that these steps facilitated the reintegration of the group, which the army refers to as Fitna Al Khawarij.
In response, Ayub took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that it was General Bajwa who advocated for the talks during a National Security Committee meeting in 2021. “General Bajwa told the participants that all conflicts end with negotiations,” Ayub wrote, noting that representatives from major political parties, including PPP, PML-N, and PTI, were present at the meeting.
Ayub also criticized the ISPR DG for repeating old accusations against PTI. He likened the situation to an incident involving former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who mistakenly repeated a speech due to a clerical error.
During a press briefing in Rawalpindi, Lt Gen Chaudhry held the PTI responsible for enabling the resettlement of terrorists and questioned who empowered the TTP through dialogue after their influence had diminished in 2021. He stressed that decisions on such critical issues should prioritize the safety of citizens over political motives.
Separately, PTI leader Asad Qaiser expressed concerns over the current tensions with Afghanistan, advocating for dialogue and the formation of a jirga comprising Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political leadership to address the issue. He urged both nations to avoid conflict and seek peaceful solutions.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram emphasized the need for introspection and course correction. He criticized the state’s approach of targeting critics and warned against using intimidation tactics. Akram called for adherence to constitutional justice, highlighting that only the judiciary has the authority to punish or reward individuals.
The PTI leadership condemned the government’s crackdown on their peaceful protests, describing actions like road blockades and arbitrary detentions as undemocratic and unjustified. They cautioned that suppressing dissent and critical opinions would only escalate tensions and perpetuate instability in the country.
