🚨 PTI Was Asked to Sign Counterterrorism Policy; Concerns Raised Over Drone Strikes and Displacement: Salman Akram Raja

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja has said that his party was asked during negotiations to sign a policy under which it would accept decisions taken in the name of combating terrorism. He said PTI had raised concerns about civilian casualties in drone strikes and the displacement of people from their homes during security operations.
According to Raja, the party's position was that counterterrorism measures should protect innocent civilians and avoid causing unnecessary suffering to local communities. He maintained that the approach adopted to combat terrorism was as important as the objective itself, particularly in areas affected by prolonged insecurity.
Concerns Over Drone Strikes and Civilian Displacement
Raja said PTI had called for measures to prevent the loss of innocent lives in drone strikes and to ensure that people were not forced to leave their homes during security operations.
He argued that counterterrorism policies should aim to restore peace while safeguarding the lives, property and basic rights of local residents. Civilian casualties and displacement, he suggested, could have wider social consequences, including increased public anxiety and a loss of trust.
Reservations About Emergency Measures
The PTI secretary-general also expressed concerns about the use and continuation of emergency measures under the existing legal and judicial framework.
According to Raja, although emergency measures could be extended through the existing system, such steps risked widening divisions within society. He stressed the importance of public confidence and political consultation when decisions with far-reaching consequences were being considered.
Call for a Consensus-Based Counterterrorism Strategy
PTI has maintained that counterterrorism measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be developed through consultation between the federal and provincial governments, with political parties and local communities also taken into confidence.
The implementation of counterterrorism policies and the level of political agreement required for such measures have emerged as key points of disagreement during recent negotiations. PTI has argued that local support is essential for the success of security measures, while the federal government has emphasized the need for effective action against terrorism.
The central challenge remains developing a coordinated strategy that addresses security threats while protecting civilians, preserving public confidence and avoiding further political and social divisions.
This report presents Salman Akram Raja's stated position and PTI's perspective on the issue.