Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will not receive any relief if the opposition party attempts to pressure the government through its proposed long march, insisting that the government will not accept demands under pressure.
Speaking to Geo News at Parliament House in Islamabad, Asif accused PTI of attempting to blackmail the government through street protests and alleged that the party was acting in concert with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The defence minister maintained that the government would not give in to what he described as political pressure tactics, warning that any attempt to force concessions through protests would not change its position.
“The government cannot be blackmailed by them under any circumstances,” Asif said, adding that PTI had repeatedly resorted to protests and demonstrations in Islamabad.
Khawaja Asif Accuses PTI of Aligning With TTP
During his remarks, Asif levelled serious allegations against PTI, claiming that the party’s political activities and positions were linked to the security challenges facing Pakistan.
“PTI has declared war against Pakistan together with the TTP,” the defence minister alleged.
He described the party’s expectation of securing concessions through a long march as wishful thinking, arguing that the government would not respond to political pressure by accepting its demands.
Asif also criticised what he described as PTI’s repeated attempts to bring political activity to the federal capital, saying that the party had developed a pattern of staging protests and attempting to enter Islamabad every two or three months.
His remarks come amid continuing political tensions between the government and PTI, which has repeatedly demanded relief for its founder and challenged the government’s handling of political disputes.
However, Asif’s allegations regarding links between PTI and the TTP were claims made by the defence minister and were not independently established in the remarks provided.
Defence Minister Questions PTI’s Position on TTP
Asif also questioned PTI’s position on the TTP and the Afghan Taliban leadership, alleging that the party had not adequately condemned the militant group or those he described as its supporters in Afghanistan.
“Show me a statement of theirs against the TTP or those who sponsor them,” he said, referring to the Afghan Taliban leadership.
“The rulers of Kabul are patrons of the TTP. Show me one statement of theirs against them,” the minister added.
He further alleged that terrorists were receiving financial support and operating openly in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI leads the provincial government.
According to Asif, the provincial administration had failed to establish its authority in areas where militants were allegedly moving freely.
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“Terrorists roam freely in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.
The defence minister also questioned the role of the province’s chief minister, asking whether the provincial leadership was present while the alleged security challenges continued.
Asif described the situation as a serious matter concerning Pakistan’s security and national integrity, arguing that the alleged connections and coordination between the groups were becoming increasingly apparent.
Imran Khan Unlikely to Receive Relief Under Pressure, Asif Says
Reiterating his warning to PTI, Asif said that the government would not provide relief to Imran Khan if the party attempted to force its demands through demonstrations or political pressure.
“If they resort to blackmail, I see no relief for Imran Khan in the future,” he said.
The minister also referred to previous remarks by a senior PTI leader concerning destruction in Islamabad, arguing that the statement reflected the party’s political intentions.
Asif maintained that the government would not change its position because of threats or attempts to exert pressure on state institutions.
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His comments underscore the government’s firm stance towards PTI’s protest strategy and its demands concerning the party’s founder.
The defence minister urged the opposition party to abandon confrontational politics and engage with the government through negotiations rather than attempting to secure concessions through street demonstrations.
Asif Urges PTI to Focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Calling on PTI to return to the negotiating table, Asif said the party should prioritise governance and address the challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Come to the negotiating table and return home; take care of your province,” he said.
He also urged PTI to stop supporting terrorists and ensure that militant groups did not receive financial assistance, reiterating that national security should take precedence over political disagreements.
“Forget that you will force us to accept your demands at gunpoint,” Asif added.
The minister’s remarks reflected the government’s position that negotiations could proceed only without what it considers threats or coercive tactics.
While he called for dialogue, his warning that Imran Khan would receive no relief under pressure indicated that the government was unwilling to make concessions in response to a long march.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai Asked to Play Role in Political Dialogue
Asif also commented on a recent statement by opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai regarding a possible visit to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s residence in Murree.
The defence minister described the Sharif family’s relationship with Achakzai as longstanding and acknowledged his political background.
“Nawaz Sharif has an old relationship with him. Mahmood Khan is a second-generation political worker,” Asif said.
He added that he would encourage Achakzai to play a constructive role in addressing the country’s political and security challenges.
“I will certainly ask Mahmood Khan to play his role,” the minister said, urging him to focus on Pakistan’s interests and national integrity.
Asif concluded by calling for a collective response to militancy, saying political differences should not prevent parties from working together against security threats.
“Let everyone jointly fight the Afghanistan-sponsored terrorists,” he said.
The defence minister’s statements highlight the continuing divide between the federal government and PTI, with the prospect of a long march adding to tensions over Imran Khan’s political future, negotiations and the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
