*Press Release* Double standards on Afghan talks: KP govt removed to dismantle PTI, not to restore peace: PTI Waqas questions Centre’s silence on Khan Marjan’s Afghan dialogue proposal after strongly opposing PTI’s similar move Waqas urges govt to end political repression, initiate dialogue with Imran Khan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has strongly slammed the federal government for its blatant double standards and contradictory approach to the worsening security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying its earlier opposition to dialogue with Afghanistan, followed by silence over a similar proposal by its own handpicked representative, has further reinforced PTI’s stance that the province’s elected government was removed not to restore peace and security, but to dismantle the country’s most popular political party. Reacting to the proposal by Khan Marjan, Deputy Chairman of Pakistan’s Regional Representation and Development Council, seeking permission to travel to Afghanistan for talks with the Islamic Emirate, Waqas questioned why the federal government and its ministers had remained conspicuously silent on an initiative similar to the one they had vehemently opposed when it was proposed by PTI-led government. He said that the federal ministers including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had previously strongly rejected the idea of provincial-level negotiations with Afghanistan, describing it as an attack on the federation and insisting that foreign policy fell exclusively within federal jurisdiction despite the fact that the Apex Committee gave approval to the said proposal. However, when Khan Marjan proposed the same course of action, the government suddenly appeared unwilling to offer either criticism or a clear position, he added. Waqas said that Khan Marjan had himself acknowledged that previous negotiations with the Taliban had been followed by approximately 90 days without reported violence or explosions in Pakistan, highlighting the potential effectiveness of dialogue in reducing tensions and restoring peace. He said this admission vindicated PTI’s consistent position that sustainable peace could not be achieved through force alone and required meaningful negotiations, political engagement and a comprehensive strategy addressing the underlying causes of militancy. “The federal government removed the elected government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the pretext of terrorism and insecurity, yet opposed its proposal to pursue a negotiated settlement with Afghanistan. Now, when its own handpicked representative advocates the same approach and acknowledges its positive results, the government has nothing to say,” Waqas said. PTI CIS maintained that this contradiction exposed the government’s real intentions, adding that if the rulers had genuinely been concerned about peace and security, they would have supported practical measures to end violence rather than obstructing dialogue and undermining the provincial government. Waqas stated that the imposed setup had prioritised political victimisation over public safety, pointing to the detention of PTI’s elected representatives, harassment of citizens, raids on homes and actions against businesses. He said these measures had deepened public resentment while diverting attention from the urgent need to restore peace. He further observed that despite the passage of several days since the removal of the KP government, the imposed administration had failed to demonstrate a credible strategy for improving security. Instead, he added, those in power were preoccupied with public rallies, pressuring political representatives to change loyalties and employing coercive tactics to prolong their rule.