Choose between Pakistan and terrorism, ministers tell KP govt

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of failing to provide adequate leadership, resources and authority to security forces and alleged that it was showing a soft stance towards Afghanistan and terrorists.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad, Talal said that around 70 per cent of the groups and formations involved in attacks over the past two-and-a-half to three years comprised Afghan nationals, saying that Pakistan had used diplomatic channels, dossiers and negotiations to address the issue with Afghanistan.

He said the recent attack in Dera Ismail Khan, in which civilians and rescue workers were killed, showed the “real face” of Afghanistan.

“Is this jihad?” Talal asked, referring to the deaths of a child, her mother and other family members, as well as two rescue workers who, he said, were killed while responding to the attack.

Talal also criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for visiting Dera Ismail Khan after the attack but not condemning Afghanistan or explicitly naming it in his press conference.

“Why do you have a soft approach towards Afghanistan?” he asked, accusing the provincial government of creating ambiguity over the source of attacks.

Talal said that political leadership, resources and authority were the three things required to fight terrorism, alleging that the KP government had failed to provide all three.

He said that the KP Counter-Terrorism Department was still without adequate resources and that the province lacked sufficient bulletproof vehicles, training, forensic facilities and Safe City infrastructure.

He also questioned the use of funds allocated to KP under the National Finance Commission for counter-terrorism.

“Just give an account of the Rs800 billion. Leave aside your entire budget,” Talal said, referring to his estimate of the additional resources allocated to the province for security.

He alleged that the KP CTD was still operating from rented buildings and lacked necessary equipment.

Talal also accused the provincial government of attempting to curtail police powers through changes to the police law.

He said the federal government had repeatedly invited the KP chief minister to security-related meetings but claimed that he had not attended several such sessions.

Tarar accuses KP govt of failing to take ownership of counter-terrorism operations

Tarar, meanwhile, accused the KP government of failing to take ownership of counter-terrorism operations and repeated his allegation that it had facilitated the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He criticised the provincial government over what he described as failures in vehicle registration, saying unregistered and non-customs-paid vehicles could be used in terrorist attacks.

Tarar said that the province had failed to establish adequate counter-terrorism infrastructure during its long tenure in government.

He also criticised Afridi over an incident in which, according to Tarar, two Afghan delegates did not stand for the Pakistani national anthem at an event attended by the chief minister.

“If I had been there, I would have taken action against them and expelled them,” Tarar said.

He further alleged that illegal mining, timber, tobacco and other activities were linked to a “terror-crime nexus” in the province, without providing evidence for the claim.

Tarar said that the federal government and security forces, along with political parties, would work to eliminate terrorism.

Turning to the recent attacks, he said civilians and security personnel in Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan and Hangu had suffered casualties, and criticised the provincial government for focusing on political activities instead of law and order.

He also questioned the provincial government’s failure to establish Safe City systems and a forensic laboratory, saying evidence from KP had to be sent to Lahore for forensic examination.

Tarar demanded that the KP government provide an account of funds allocated for counter-terrorism and explain how the money had been spent.

Responding to a question about possible governor’s rule in KP, Talal said it would be “very premature” to comment on the matter.

He said the provincial government had failed administratively and politically but added that any decision regarding the future course of action should not be commented upon at this stage.

Asked about containers placed on roads leading to Islamabad ahead of the PTI’s planned October 4 march, Talal said the administration had made arrangements to protect people and key installations and would use them if necessary.

He rejected complaints by container owners over unpaid rent, saying the government had met representatives of both groups and had received no such complaint.

Repatriation of Afghan nationals

On the repatriation of Afghan nationals, Talal said that the process of sending undocumented Afghans back was progressing most slowly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He accused the provincial government of creating ambiguity over state decisions aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism efforts and said the repatriation of undocumented Afghans was part of those measures.

Talal Chaudhry said the KP government also complained of not being taken on board on security matters despite being invited to security meetings.

He alleged that the chief minister did not attend meetings on counter-terrorism but came to Islamabad to seek NFC funds.

“Your politics is dear to you; Pakistan is dear to us,” Tarar said, accusing the provincial government of prioritising political protests and rallies over security.

He said most victims of terrorism in the province were KP residents and called for the federal government, armed forces, political parties and the public to work together against militants.

Tarar also questioned the KP government’s silence over alleged drone attacks from Afghanistan and cross-border firing in Kurram.

He demanded that the provincial government clarify whether it stood with Pakistan or Afghanistan.