ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has challenged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership to clarify whether it stands with Pakistan or Afghanistan as KP terrorism continues to claim the lives of civilians and security personnel.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Tarar criticised the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its handling of terrorism and accused it of failing to take ownership of counterterrorism operations in the province.
Tarar alleged that the provincial government had not taken effective measures to confront militant violence despite having been in power for more than 12 years.
KP terrorism and PTI’s role questioned
The information minister claimed that PTI had facilitated terrorists over the past 12 years and repeated his allegation that the party was acting as a “B-team” of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He argued that more than 12 years was sufficient time for a provincial government to improve security and governance. According to Tarar, the PTI administration had failed not only to control terrorism but also to ensure adequate basic services for residents.
He further claimed that people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were increasingly travelling to other provinces to access basic facilities.
Tarar said the federal government had offered modern vehicles to the KP police, but the provincial authorities declined the offer. He reiterated the federal government’s stated commitment to eliminating terrorism from its roots.
The minister also accused the PTI leadership of leaving the KP police vulnerable to militant attacks. He criticised the provincial government for not condemning recent cross-border firing from Afghanistan.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is burning in the fire of terrorism,” Tarar said, while alleging that the provincial leadership’s primary focus was on securing the release of a prisoner from jail.
Recent attacks highlight security challenge
The statements came as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa terrorism remains a major security challenge, with a series of deadly attacks resulting in significant civilian and security force casualties.
Earlier this week, at least 13 people, including two women and a two-year-old child, were killed when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into an anti-smuggling check post in Darazanda, Dera Ismail Khan.
According to sources, Customs, Excise and Rescue officials were among those killed, along with civilians.
A week earlier, explosions at a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers killed 22 people, including 16 police officials, while another 103 people were injured.
The security situation has also remained tense along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Security forces reportedly foiled attempts by Afghan Taliban fighters to launch attacks and killed several Taliban personnel during a retaliatory operation.
Federal government questions use of counterterrorism funds
Tarar also questioned how the KP government had utilised funds allocated for counterterrorism under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He said billions of rupees were provided to the province every year and asked where the funds earmarked for combating terrorism had been spent.
The minister criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, alleging that political and administrative failures had contributed to worsening conditions in the province. He claimed that destruction and insecurity had spread across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and accused the provincial administration of failing to take adequate action.
Tarar further alleged that the provincial government itself had contributed to the spread of terrorism.
Government criticises PTI’s approach towards Afghanistan
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also questioned the PTI-led provincial government’s policy towards Afghanistan and its handling of counterterrorism.
“Why do you have a soft approach towards Afghanistan?” Chaudhry asked.
He rejected attempts to portray terrorist attacks as jihad, saying those involved in such violence were allegedly receiving financial payments for carrying out attacks.
Chaudhry claimed that facilitators linked to attacks were operating on both Pakistan’s eastern and western borders. He also alleged that bulletproof vehicles provided to provincial authorities had been returned.
The minister criticised changes made through a new police law, claiming that the amendments were aimed at reducing the powers of the police.
According to Chaudhry, the KP government had asked the federal government to involve it in discussions on terrorism but subsequently failed to attend relevant meetings.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif holds weekly meetings on the security situation and questioned why the provincial government sought NFC funds in Islamabad while not participating in federal counterterrorism meetings.
The exchange between the federal and provincial governments comes amid a deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where continued militant attacks and cross-border tensions with Afghanistan have intensified political debate over responsibility for counterterrorism efforts.
