‘Terror resurgence’: Tarar accusation sparks fierce PTI backlash

• Information minister blames PTI for spike in terrorism after Islamabad blast
• Defends security agencies, calls them internationally praised and referencing success of operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-i-Azb
• Criticizes ex-premier Imran Khan’s TTP settlement policy and nation paying for that today
• PTI calls Tarar’s press conference misleading and propaganda-laden, highlighting ‘unprecedented peace’ during Imran Khan’s tenure
• Says resurgence of terrorism is result of PML-N-led governance

LAHORE: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday blamed the PTI for the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, prompting a sharp response from the party, which insisted that the spike in attacks is a direct consequence of the governance of the PML-N and its allied parties.

Tarar made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside religious scholars in Lahore, underlining solidarity and unity in the wake of Friday’s suicide attack at an Islamabad imambargah.

When asked whether the blast indicated a failure of security agencies, Tarar firmly rejected the suggestion. “No, not at all,” he said, emphasizing that Pakistan’s security institutions are internationally recognized as models of effectiveness, recalling the safe recovery of abducted passengers during the deadly Jaffar Express attack with minimal casualties.

The minister also referenced the May 2025 Pak-India conflict, stating, “The enemy was brought to its knees, sought mediation, and said ‘I’m sorry’.” He added that while Friday’s terrorist attack in the outskirts of Islamabad—despite the presence of the Safe City system and full deployment of security forces—was tragic, it was not a security lapse.

“I did not want to politicize this, but recall Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-i-Azb, when suicide bombings had stopped and peace was restored in Karachi and elsewhere in the country,” he said.

Tarar indirectly criticized former -premier Imran Khan’s policies, saying, “Then, a government came… someone said ‘these are peaceful people and our brothers, we should have talks with them,’ and they were settled in settled areas.” He added, “That same thinking of Taliban Khan—we are paying for that today.”

The minister continued that the state had previously acted decisively against terrorists, expelling and neutralizing them, and had “ended terrorism.”

“Ab yeh jo dehshatgardi waapis ayi hai, iss kay peechay PTI hai (The PTI is behind this resurgence of terrorism),” Tarar quipped, smiling.

PTI responds sharply

The PTI strongly rejected the minister’s remarks. In a post on X, the party’s official account said: “A day after a horrific terror attack, the information minister chose to joke, recite a hateful rhyme, and smile at a press conference. It’s yet another reminder of how little regard they have for the people of Pakistan.”

A day after a horrific terror attack, the information minister chose to joke, recite a hateful rhyme, and smile at a press conference.

It’s yet another reminder of how little regard they have for the people of Pakistan. https://t.co/uNoUklQ684

— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 7, 2026

In a separate post, the PTI added: “They have been in government for four years, yet the way this joker is smiling while blaming the PTI shows what kind of people the government has been handed over to.”

چار سال سے حکومت ان کی ہے، لیکن الزام پی ٹی آئی کو دیتے ہوئے یہ مسخرہ جس طرح سے مسکرا رہا ہے-
اس سے ہی ثابت ہو رہا ہے کہ حکومت کیسے گھٹیا لوگوں کے ہاتھوں میں دے دی گئی ہے-#فروری8_ہر_چوک_ڈی_چوک #فوکس_8فروری_سب_بند https://t.co/IbHsNN0Pad

— Tehreek-e-Insaf (@InsafPK) February 7, 2026

The party’s Central Media Department issued a statement describing Tarar’s press conference as misleading, propaganda-laden, and filled with blatant falsehoods. The PTI emphasized that Pakistan had enjoyed an “unprecedented period of peace” during Imran Khan’s tenure as premier and insisted that the resurgence of terrorism is a direct result of the current ruling coalition’s governance.

*Press Release*
PTI says historic peace achieved during Imran Khan’s tenure
Holds ruling coalition responsible for return of terrorism
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reminded the Federal Minister for Information that under the Imran Khan–led PTI government, Pakistan…

— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 7, 2026

The statement urged those raising alarms over the uptick in attacks to “look inward,” noting that the responsibility for the country’s security rests squarely with the present government.