Federal ministers launched a scathing attack on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday, accusing him of attempting to become a spokesperson for the Afghan regime and harboring sympathies for militant groups. The strong reaction came in response to recent comments made by the provincial leader.
Irrefutable Evidence and a Heavy Price
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, stated that the entire world is aware of the Afghan regime's support for militant organizations. He emphasized that there exists "irrefutable evidence" of Afghan territory being utilized to sponsor terrorism directed at Pakistan.
Tarar condemned the KP Chief Minister's statements as "shameful and highly condemnable," labeling Afridi an embodiment of "lies and hypocrisy." He reminded the nation that the people and security forces of Pakistan have paid a colossal price in the ongoing fight against terrorism. The minister lamented that, unfortunately, the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf appears determined to support terrorism, while "Fitna-al-Khawarij" and their sympathizers cannot stomach the country's economic and social progress.
A Stern Warning from the Interior Ministry
Echoing the hardline stance, State Minister for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry issued a clear warning. He declared that any political figure, whether a chief minister or a party official, making ambiguous or sympathetic statements towards militants would face severe consequences. Chaudhry asserted that the state "will not tolerate even a single vague word" that contradicts the national counter-terrorism narrative.
Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, Chaudhry drew a firm line. He clarified that while political parties are free to conduct street movements and campaigns, no one will be permitted to create political space for militants who have indiscriminately attacked mosques, madrassas, markets, schools, children, and security personnel. "If anyone tries to build a narrative for them or adopt a soft attitude, it is intolerable," he stated. In a direct challenge to Afridi, he added, "If you have so much sympathy for them, go to Afghanistan yourself or we will facilitate it."
Allegations of Intentional Negligence in KP
Minister Chaudhry launched a blistering critique of the KP government's performance on security. He accused the provincial administration of deliberately weakening counter-terrorism capabilities, despite the region suffering the highest number of militant attacks in the country.
He presented alarming statistics, claiming that over 1,200 people were killed in terrorism-related incidents in 2025, with 60–70% of all attacks in Pakistan occurring in KP—a figure he described as the highest in the nation's history.
Chaudhry listed several critical failures:
- More than half of KP's districts still lack a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
- Safe City projects have not been established.
- Only 25–30% of cameras have been installed in Peshawar, most non-functional.
- No forensic laboratory has been constructed in the province.
"You deliberately did not spend on counter-terrorism institutions," he alleged, accusing the KP leadership of seeking political mileage from an "ambiguous narrative." He suggested that chaos benefits those who wish to weaken the state, enabling political blackmail—a possible reference to letters written to international financial institutions like the IMF.
Clarifying Mandates and Federal Support
Responding to questions about the KP government's electoral mandate, Chaudhry delineated the boundaries of provincial authority. He stated that mandates related to health, education, and law and order do not extend to foreign affairs, defense, internal security, or border management. "They cannot decide which country Pakistan talks to," he clarified.
The minister rejected claims of federal neglect, noting that he and the Prime Minister had visited KP multiple times. He revealed that counter-terrorism meetings are held bi-monthly at the Interior Ministry and chaired monthly or bi-monthly by the PM, but "the KP Chief Minister did not attend." He contrasted KP's lagging progress with Punjab, which has implemented Safe City systems at the district and even tehsil levels.
Chaudhry concluded by reiterating the government's uncompromising position: "Anyone supporting terrorists will face the same treatment as terrorists. No one will be allowed to play with Pakistan’s blood—not with weapons and not with narratives." He promised a detailed briefing for journalists soon on the federal Counter-Terrorism Drive (CTD), which includes nearly two dozen benchmarks.
