ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to clarify whether it stands with Pakistan or Afghanistan amid deadly terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), accusing the provincial government of failing to take effective action against militancy.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Monday, Tarar alleged that the PTI-led KP government had neither taken ownership of counterterrorism operations nor demonstrated the intention to take practical measures against terrorism. He also accused the provincial administration of facilitating militants for political and financial interests, allegations that the PTI-led government has disputed.
“میں نے خیبرپختونخوا میں کہا تھا کہ صوبائی حکومت کے ارادے بھی خراب ہیں اور ان کا رویہ بھی خراب ہے۔ وہ نہ تو دہشت گردی کے خلاف کارروائیوں کی ذمہ داری لیتے ہیں، نہ عملی اقدامات کرتے ہیں اور نہ ہی ایسا کرنا چاہتے ہیں۔
گزشتہ کئی سالوں سے میں کہہ رہا ہوں کہ یہ ٹی ٹی پی کی بی ٹیم ہیں،… https://t.co/U2YKVJMZrj pic.twitter.com/zvctvzYNRI
— Pakistan Defence🇵🇰 (@PakDefence_) September 28, 2026
Tarar repeated his allegation that the PTI leadership in KP was a “B-team” of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claiming that the party had facilitated terrorists over the past 12 years. He argued that more than 12 years in provincial power should have been sufficient to improve security and governance.
The minister also criticised the KP government over public services, saying residents were travelling to other provinces for basic facilities. He claimed that the federal government had offered modern vehicles to the KP police but that the offer was rejected.
“Our firm resolve is to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from its roots,” Tarar said, reiterating the federal government’s stated commitment to combating militancy.
Tarar further alleged that the provincial leadership had left the KP police vulnerable to militants and criticised its response to recent incidents involving Afghanistan. He said the security situation had deteriorated while the provincial leadership was focused on securing the release of a jailed party founder.
Deadly attacks intensify security concerns
The ministers’ press conference came amid a series of deadly attacks in KP that have killed civilians and security personnel.
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 the Darazanda area of Dera Ismail Khan, according to reports. Customs, Excise and Rescue officials were among those killed.
Last week, explosions targeting a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers killed 22 people, including 16 police officials, while 103 others were injured, according to the figures cited during the briefing.
The security situation has also remained tense along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where Pakistani security forces have reported foiling attempted attacks and conducting retaliatory operations. Pakistan has separately accused Afghan territory of being used for militant and hostile activities.
Federal government questions use of counterterrorism funds
Tarar questioned how billions of rupees allocated to KP annually through the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award were being used for counterterrorism and law-enforcement efforts.
سہیل آفریدی صوبے میں تباہی اور بربادی پھیلا چکے ہیں، اب سیاسی طور پر بھی ناکام ہو چکے ہیں۔ خون بہہ رہا ہے، لاشیں گر رہی ہیں، لوگ شہید ہورہے ہیں، کاؤنٹر ٹیررازم کا پیسہ آپ نے دھرنوں اور اپنی سیاست پر خرچ کر دیا۔ pic.twitter.com/UpW85iHXMz
— PMLN Digital Media (@PMLN_Digital_PK) September 28, 2026
“Where have they spent the money received for counterterrorism?” he asked, according to reports of the press conference. He also criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over what he described as political and administrative failures.
Tarar additionally alleged that the provincial government had failed to bring non-customs-paid vehicles into the legal framework, claiming that some such vehicles were being used in terrorist activities.
Talal Chaudhry questions PTI’s Afghanistan policy
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry questioned what he described as the KP government’s “soft approach” towards Afghanistan and its counterterrorism policy.
“Why do you have a soft approach towards Afghanistan?” Chaudhry asked, according to reports.
He said terrorist attacks should not be described as jihad and alleged that those involved in such attacks were receiving financial payments. He also claimed that facilitators linked to militant attacks were operating across Pakistan’s eastern and western borders.
Read Also: TTP has Established Centres in Four Afghan Provinces
Chaudhry alleged that bulletproof vehicles provided to provincial authorities had been returned and criticised changes introduced through the KP Police Act, 2026, claiming they had reduced police powers. The KP government has defended its position on provincial policing and has separately criticised federal security policies.
The minister also accused the KP government of failing to attend federal meetings on terrorism despite asking Islamabad to involve the province in counterterrorism discussions. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif holds weekly meetings on the security situation and questioned why the provincial government seeks NFC funds from Islamabad while not attending federal counterterrorism meetings.
The exchange highlights the continuing political dispute between Pakistan’s federal government and the PTI-led KP administration over responsibility for counterterrorism, police resources, provincial governance and relations with Afghanistan as militant violence continues to challenge security in the province.
