Defence Minister Khawaja Asif slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Thursday for “politicising” the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan’s Mach and for allegedly misrepresenting the events on social media.

“The entire world stood with Pakistan, but the PTI was not among them,” he said on the floor of the National Assembly.

The hijacking occurred on Tuesday when the train, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with 440 passengers on board, was ambushed by terrorists from the banned group. The assailants fired on the train and took the passengers hostage, leading security forces to launch a two-day operation to secure their release.

On Wednesday evening, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry announced the successful conclusion of the operation, stating that 33 terrorists involved in the attack had been neutralised. He also reported that 21 passengers and four personnel from the Frontier Corps were martyred during the incident, but assured that no hostages were harmed during the final rescue operation.

“I have told you how they are interpreting the Jaffar Express [tragedy]. They are making it a topic of politics, when it is a moment of concern for the 250 million people of Pakistan,” Asif said.

“What’s more upsetting is the way PTI’s social media interpreted the situation,” he said.

The defence minister took a jab at Omar Ayub, the grandson of former military ruler General Ayub Khan, during a recent address, stating, “Those who mocked us over Form-47 have lived through three martial laws and have had their elders abrogate the Constitution of Pakistan for the first time.”

Asif condemned former dictators for “stealing the right to vote” from the populace and transferring it to a privileged few. He expressed concern over the statements made by PTI leaders, saying that their words suggest a “complete erasure” of historical accountability.

Moreover, he criticised the previous PTI-led government’s controversial decision to resettle thousands of fighters from the banned TTP within the country, emphasising the risks associated with such actions.

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The defence minister called for acknowledging “past mistakes” to proceed ahead. He lambasted the PTI’s social media accounts for their “posts” after the tragedy.

He lauded Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti for “standing tall before the terrorists.”

Asif criticised the PTI party, stating they have “failed to manage” internal dissent, exemplified by the recent expulsion of Sher Afzal Marwat, who, according to Asif, exposes their “true” character. “There are numerous factions and leaders within the PTI.”