Minister Slams KP Govt Over Counter-Terrorism Leadership and Resources

Minister Slams KP Govt Over Counter-Terrorism Leadership and Resources

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry has criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over what he described as shortcomings in leadership, resources and the use of authority in the fight against terrorism.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry said provincial governments have a key role in providing leadership, funding and necessary powers to security institutions combating terrorism.

He questioned the allocation of resources for counter-terrorism in KP and claimed that the province’s Counter-Terrorism Department remains non-functional across parts of the province. He also cited shortages involving protective equipment, vehicles, training, forensic facilities and the Safe City project.

Chaudhry also criticised the provincial leadership over its response to recent terrorist attacks, including the Kohat blast, and questioned what he described as insufficient condemnation of attacks linked by Pakistani officials to militants operating from Afghanistan.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar separately accused the PTI-led provincial government of failing to take ownership of the counter-terrorism challenge, while PTI and the KP government have their own positions on governance, security and relations with the federal government.

The federal ministers’ remarks come amid renewed security concerns in KP and continued tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over alleged militant sanctuaries and cross-border attacks.

The debate has placed renewed focus on the division of responsibilities, funding and coordination between the federal and provincial governments in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy.