ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of putting its political agenda ahead of national security, as he criticised the party’s planned march towards Islamabad amid continuing terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing a press conference, Sanaullah said political activity was a constitutional right, but argued that provincial resources should not be used for confrontation at a time when security personnel and civilians were being killed in terrorist incidents.
He said PTI’s repeated mobilisation towards Islamabad had contributed to political confrontation since the party’s 2014 sit-in, citing subsequent protests in 2022, 2024 and the latest mobilisation in 2026.
Sanaullah alleged that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was using official resources to facilitate the march instead of concentrating on governance and the province’s security situation.
He said the timing was particularly troubling because police, military personnel and civilians continued to lose their lives in attacks across KP.
The adviser also rejected claims that the government was preparing a new large-scale military operation that could displace people from the province.
He said Pakistan’s existing counter-terrorism policy remained focused on intelligence-based operations and that there was no new strategy involving mass displacement.
According to Sanaullah, security forces clear areas through intelligence-led operations, while provincial civil administrations and police are responsible for maintaining control and consolidating those gains.
He argued that weaknesses in the civilian law-enforcement structure in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were making that process more difficult.
Sanaullah also dismissed PTI’s claim that it had been excluded from consultation on counter-terrorism policy, calling the assertion misleading.
He said the country’s strategy centred on identifying militant networks through intelligence, targeting them and then restoring civilian control in affected areas.
The adviser also claimed PTI had failed to mobilise large crowds for its march despite announcing the protest in advance.
Turning to Afghanistan, Sanaullah said Pakistan had repeatedly asked the Afghan interim authorities to ensure their territory was not used for attacks against Pakistan.
He claimed Islamabad had shared evidence regarding terrorism originating from Afghan soil but had not received firm assurances that such activities would be prevented.
Sanaullah said Pakistan reserved the right to act against training camps or activities across the border that posed a direct threat to its security.
He urged political parties, particularly the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, to prioritise governance, public welfare and security over confrontation.