Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of facilitating terrorists and questioned the provincial administration’s response to the worsening security situation in the province.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Tarar alleged that the PTI-led KP government had prioritised political and financial interests over counterterrorism efforts. He also described the PTI leadership in the province as the “B team” of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a characterization that reflects the federal minister’s political allegation rather than an established finding.
Tarar called on the KP government to publicly commit to eliminating terrorism and questioned how counterterrorism resources allocated to the province had been used. He argued that the provincial government should focus on strengthening law enforcement and addressing security challenges rather than political activities.
The information minister also alleged that illegal mining, timber and other economic activities were contributing to a political-terror-crime nexus in the province. These claims were presented by Tarar during his criticism of the KP administration.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry separately questioned what he described as the PTI leadership’s “soft attitude” towards Afghanistan. He argued that political leadership needed to provide security forces with leadership, resources and authority to effectively respond to terrorism.
Chaudhry also raised questions about the resources available to the KP police and Counter-Terrorism Department. He mentioned the need for bulletproof equipment, vehicles, training, forensic facilities and surveillance infrastructure, and questioned the provincial government’s use of funds available through the National Finance Commission framework.
The ministers also discussed alleged links between Afghanistan and militant attacks in Pakistan. Chaudhry referred to the investigation into the Dera Ismail Khan attack and said investigators had identified what he described as evidence of an Afghan connection. The claims were presented by the federal minister as part of the government’s broader argument about cross-border militancy.
The federal government has repeatedly raised concerns about militant groups operating from Afghan territory, while Afghan authorities have rejected accusations that Afghanistan is being used to facilitate attacks against Pakistan.
The remarks come amid continuing security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a political dispute between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration over responsibility for counterterrorism, policing, resources and policy towards Afghanistan.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has separately criticized the federal government’s counterterrorism approach and called for a policy shift, arguing that simply providing additional resources to police would not resolve the security situation.
The latest exchange reflects the growing political disagreement between Islamabad and the KP government over how to address terrorism, strengthen provincial security institutions and respond to militant activity in the region.
