The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement has raised valid concerns about the problems being faced by the Pashtun people. It is their tone which is problematic, said Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The problems raised by PTM are same as the ones which I have been speaking about for the last 15 years,” he said while addressing a rally in Orakzai district on Friday. “All the issues they have raised are valid. Their tone, however, is not right.” It is not right to incite people against the army, especially those people who have seen so much suffering, he remarked. “What purpose will this serve?”

PTM is a social movement which has demanded a reduction in the number of check posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, clearance of mines and recovery of missing persons.

Related: ISPR DG warns PTM not to cross the line and compel them to use force

We have to help people heal and give them compensation, he remarked. “Our Pakistan will never forget your sacrifices,” he said while referring to the people living in merged districts.

Imran Khan said that he is the “only politician” to have visited all the merged districts. “People from tribal areas were our army. Unfortunately, the person who was in power didn’t even know about our tribal areas, their history or traditions.”

Many people don’t know about the destruction that occurred in merged districts as a result of the war against terrorism. “I have always spoken against it. It wasn’t the fault of the Pakistan Army. It was the ruler who sent the army to the tribal areas on the orders of the US.”

‘Have to keep an eye on my team’

PM Khan has recently reshuffled his cabinet and following which many PTI leaders, such as Asad Umar, have stepped down from the cabinet.

“A good captain thinks about winning the match. He has to keep an eye on his team,” he said. “Sometimes, the batting order has to be changed and some players have to be removed.”

Similarly, a prime minister’s sole aim is to uplift his nation. “This is my mission.”

He remarked that he will change the ministers who are not working for the country’s benefit and bring in those who will.

“Mahmood Khan, you should also keep an eye on your team,” he said while referring to the KP chief minister.

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