Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing it of failing to effectively address terrorism, law and order and governance issues in the province.
Addressing a press conference, Tarar said he stood by his earlier claim that the PTI leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was acting as the “B-team” of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He alleged that PTI was reluctant to condemn terrorist attacks and accused the provincial government of facilitating militant elements. These are allegations made by Tarar and were not independently established in the reports reviewed.
The minister questioned why non-customs-paid vehicles were operating across the province and alleged that the KP government was deliberately avoiding bringing such vehicles into the legal framework. He further claimed that some of these vehicles were being used in terrorist activities.
Tarar also criticised the provincial government over public services, particularly health and policing. He questioned what measures had been taken to improve healthcare despite PTI having governed the province for more than 12 years. He also claimed that the federal Interior Ministry had offered modern vehicles for the KP police, but that the provincial government declined the offer.
The minister said the federal government was determined to eliminate terrorism and alleged that the PTI leadership had left the KP police vulnerable to militant attacks. He also criticised the provincial government for what he described as insufficient condemnation of firing and attacks originating from Afghanistan.
Tarar said billions of rupees were allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa annually under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and questioned how funds allocated for counterterrorism and law and order had been spent. He said provincial resources should be directed towards public welfare and strengthening security institutions rather than political protests.
He also criticised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, alleging that he had failed both administratively and politically. Tarar contrasted the KP government’s approach with that of the Balochistan government, praising Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for what he described as efforts to use available resources against terrorism.
Tarar further alleged that the KP government was attempting to turn the provincial police into a political wing of PTI and criticised proposed changes involving the Provincial Public Service Commission.
The minister said the National Action Plan was being implemented and reiterated that the government would continue its efforts to combat terrorism. His remarks came amid continuing political tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration over security, governance and political protests.