Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its handling of counterterrorism efforts, citing concerns about leadership, resources and coordination with federal authorities.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said provincial governments had three key responsibilities in the fight against terrorism: providing leadership, allocating resources and exercising their constitutional powers. He alleged that the KP government had not adequately fulfilled these responsibilities.
Chaudhry claimed that the provincial administration had failed to provide sufficient support to security forces and questioned whether adequate funds had been allocated for counterterrorism measures.
He pointed to equipment and infrastructure needs within the KP police, including bulletproof vehicles, protective gear, training facilities, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Safe City projects and forensic capabilities.
The minister also questioned the use of additional funds received by KP under the National Finance Commission Award, arguing that greater resources should have been directed towards strengthening law enforcement and counterterrorism capacity.
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Chaudhry criticised the provincial leadership over its response to recent terrorist attacks, including the deadly blast in Kohat and a subsequent attack in Dera Ismail Khan. He questioned why senior provincial officials had not attended the funerals of victims of the Kohat attack.
He also criticised what he described as an insufficiently clear position by the KP government on Afghanistan and alleged that the province had not taken a sufficiently direct stance against militant groups operating from across the border.
Chaudhry reiterated his opposition to proposed changes under the KP Police Act 2026, saying the legislation could affect the authority of the provincial police chief and the wider command structure. Earlier reporting has also documented his concerns that the proposed law could affect police discipline, morale and the force’s role in counterterrorism.
The minister rejected PTI claims that the party had been excluded from discussions on counterterrorism policy, saying its representatives had not attended meetings when invited.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also criticised the PTI-led provincial administration, alleging that it had not taken sufficient ownership of the fight against terrorism. He accused the party of failing to condemn militant attacks and made further allegations about its approach towards Afghanistan.
Tarar also raised concerns about vehicle registration in KP, arguing that comprehensive registration could improve law-enforcement surveillance and potentially generate additional provincial revenue.
He said the federal government had repeatedly raised concerns with Afghanistan over alleged militant sanctuaries and cross-border attacks. Pakistan has publicly called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to take action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, while Afghan authorities have rejected allegations concerning their involvement in attacks against Pakistan.
The ministers’ remarks came as security concerns remain high in KP. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has separately called for greater cooperation between the federal and provincial governments on security policy, saying decisions should take into account conditions on the ground in the province. He has also called for additional armoured personnel carriers and greater provincial input in counterterrorism policy.
Afridi has maintained that anyone taking up arms against Pakistan is a terrorist and has called for stronger coordination between the federal and provincial authorities. His government has also said it wants the people of KP to be consulted on decisions concerning peace and security.
The exchange highlights continuing political differences between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration over responsibility, resources and policy in the province’s counterterrorism campaign.
