Pakistan minister calls out PTI over security and governance in KP

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday of neglecting governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that its provincial government failed to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities and deliver basic services.

He made the remarks at a news conference in Islamabad while the party pursues political efforts to secure the release of jailed founder Imran Khan.

What did Tarar say about PTI governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

Tarar questioned how the province spent the Rs700 billion he said it received through the National Finance Commission (NFC). He claimed it had not adequately upgraded its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), established forensic laboratories or installed safe-city surveillance cameras. He alleged the provincial administration had diverted its attention towards political agitation rather than addressing security challenges.

He contrasted what he described as lengthy meetings to organise protests with the limited time devoted to discussing terrorism and governance. “You do not even give half an hour to discuss terrorism in the province, but you hold six-hour meetings to spread turmoil and vandalism,” he said.

The criticism comes as PTI continues a protest march led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The march began in Lakki Marwat on October 4 after talks with the federal government failed to produce an agreement. The party launched it towards Islamabad to demand Khan’s release, better access to his family and medical care, and other concessions.

The route and schedule have since changed. Party leaders are planning further gatherings in Mardan and Swabi before deciding the next phase of the campaign.

What security challenges does Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face?

The minister accused the PTI-led administration of failing to prevent militant groups from returning to areas previously cleared by security forces. He argued that the lack of sustained counterterrorism measures had undermined security gains.

He referred to past military operations, including Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad. He questioned why militants were again able to carry out attacks in parts of the province, including Kohat, Hangu and Dera Ismail Khan.

Tarar accused the PTI of facilitating the return and resettlement of militants, a charge the party has not responded to in the remarks provided. He also alleged that the provincial leadership had failed to take a sufficiently strong public stance against militant violence.

Referring to the deaths of security personnel and rescue workers, as well as a child killed in an attack on the Aman Mela checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan, the minister questioned whether the provincial leadership bore responsibility for the deteriorating security situation. He also expressed condolences over the killing of police constable Faheemullah in Kohat.

“The biggest prison in which you have confined the people of KP is the prison of terrorists,” Tarar said, describing residents as caught between militant violence and inadequate public services.

How did Tarar compare the provincial and federal governments?

He said poverty, gaps in healthcare and education, and poor infrastructure had further worsened conditions for the province’s population. He accused the PTI government of leaving millions of residents without adequate opportunities while concentrating on political objectives.

Tarar questioned Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s record on development, asking what major hospitals, universities, highways or technology initiatives had been delivered under his leadership. He also challenged the chief minister to account for the time spent on administration and public welfare.

The minister contrasted the provincial government’s performance with federal initiatives under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He cited the inauguration of Islamabad’s information technology park as an example of efforts to promote economic growth.

He said the project, which he described as having been stalled previously, was intended to provide incubation facilities for startups and skills training for university students. It would also help expand Pakistan’s information technology exports, he said.

What did Tarar say about PTI and the TTP?

Tarar further criticized the provincial government over what he described as ideological similarities between the PTI and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He questioned whether the province’s residents should be subjected to an ideology associated with restrictions on women under Taliban rule.

The minister said the PTI had placed its political interests above national security. He accused it of allowing the province to fall behind in development over its roughly 13-and-a-half years in power.

He called for greater attention to public services and counterterrorism, arguing that the province needed stability rather than political confrontation. “This province needs peace, not politics,” Tarar said.