PML-N leader Khawaja Asif has claimed that PTI has links with terrorists from across the border, reminding the people of the Taliban Khan – a term used by former prime minister Imran Khan’s opponents for him.

“I want to tell you that those who are committing terrorist incidents here have links to PTI,” he said in an interview with Asma Shiraz on her show Faisla Aap Ka which was aired on Aaj News on Thursday. “We were told in Parliament that and they [terrorists] are their sympathisers. The PTI brought them here and PTI has favoured them.”

Asif was the defence minister in the coalition government led by Shehbaz Sharif. His point about the briefing was allegedly linked to the information given to the government by agencies after the recent wave of terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Islamabad has seen an increase in terrorist incidents after the end of a shaky ceasefire deal with the outlawed TTP.

“And can they be used in elections,” the PML-N leader said.

When asked, he said: “Yes of course, a person who, as per the allegations put forward [by Usman Dar] against him [Imran Khan] that he used people within the army [for May 9 incidents] – so can’t he use them. He can use them. Why not, he can use anything for his power.”

In an interview with Dunya News, PTI leader Usman Dar blamed Khan for the May 9 riots. He made such claims in his first media appearance after going missing on September 9.

War of narratives

PML-N leader Khawaja Asif has joined the ranks of some party members who have called for reversing the narrative for the election, which is due in January 2024, from accountability to inflation.

“Economy comes first. Everything should happen after this,” he said, “we have to give relief to the people from inflation and restart the path of progress.”

After meetings of PML-N bigwigs in London, the tide of the party’s narrative has changed. PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has been calling for the accountability of “2017 conspirators” – including former army generals and ex-jurists – but the party, according to media reports, has changed it to improving the economy.

They have defended their decision by mentioning the burgeoning inflation and tottering economy.

Asif, who is among the top echelons of the N-league, was of the view that the upcoming Parliament should decide on the manner of accountability of those whom PML-N believes meddled in the 2018 elections. He described it as an “issue”, but prioritised the economy first.

According to him, the last narrative of PML-N – ‘vote of izzat do’ – would begin on election day.

He refuted reports that party president Shehbaz Sharif’s sudden trip to London was not meant to deliver any message and added that there were no threats.

But he claimed that he had received death threats and alleged that teams have been made under this plan.

‘Very damning evidence,’ says Asif while speaking about Dar’s interview

When asked about Dar’s allegations, Asif described them as “very damning evidence”. He was of the view that it was not “something usual”.

He accused Khan of hatching conspiracy within the army just for the sake of coming back to power.

The PML-N leader wondered about the silence of the PTI leaders who quit the party after their release. They were arrested after the government started cracking down on the people involved in the May 9 riots.

While speaking about how Hamza Shehbaz’s government fell in Punjab, he alleged that the establishment was “playing sides at that time”.

He reiterated his claims that the tussle between the former army chief and ex-prime minister started after the confrontation on the appointment of the Inter-Services Intelligence director general in October 2022.

Asif claimed that Khan had some kind of support from within the army.

He went on to add that the army chief appointment should be made on the basis of seniority level.

He ruled an impression that Dar was “under pressure” during his interview with the private news channel. The PML-N leader refused to speak in response to the accusations by Dar’s mother.

He stated that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan.

According to Asif, the investigation into the May 9 incidents should reach its conclusion or else it would be “dangerous” for Pakistan.

When asked, he said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has so far not spoken about his party.