Islamabad (Pakistan News): Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has said that terrorists cannot be allowed to operate freely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that the provincial government has failed to take effective measures to eliminate terrorism over the past 13 years.
Addressing an event on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the evolving counterterrorism situation, Attaullah Tarar questioned the performance of the provincial government. He said that the failure to take necessary steps to control terrorism had created difficulties in improving the law and order situation.
The federal minister questioned why the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had not been made fully operational and effective. He said Safe City cameras had not been installed in several districts and the police had not been provided with modern weapons, despite protecting citizens’ lives and property being a fundamental responsibility of the provincial government.
Attaullah Tarar said civilians had continued to lose their lives in terrorist attacks, but effective measures were not evident on the part of the provincial government. According to him, once the situation spiralled out of control, a tough decision had to be made, and the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was intended to protect the public.
He also raised questions about the use of funds allocated to the province under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. The federal minister said Pakistan faced serious challenges, including terrorism and extremism. In its war against terrorism, the country had sacrificed thousands of lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $100 billion.
He added that Pakistan had also played a significant role in promoting global peace and security during its fight against terrorism, and that these sacrifices had helped make the country safer.
Presence of Terrorists in Afghanistan
Speaking about the presence of terrorists in Afghanistan, Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan had repeatedly urged Afghan authorities through various forums to play their role in eliminating terrorism.
According to his claim, more than 20,000 terrorists were present in Afghanistan, including over 6,000 members of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The federal minister alleged that these elements were living in safe havens on Afghan soil and receiving training there.
He made it clear that Pakistan wanted a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, saying that such an outcome would benefit Pakistan and the entire region. He said Pakistan had hosted four million Afghan refugees over the past 40 years, demonstrating its hospitality and sympathy toward the Afghan people.
Attaullah Tarar further said Pakistan had played an active role in promoting regional peace. He noted that Pakistan had played a prominent role in efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also made an important contribution to promoting peace.
Reference to Talks with PTI
Referring to discussions with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal information minister said the government had assured the party that the issue of a meeting with PTI’s founder could be resolved. However, he added that the talks should also address the strategy for combating terrorism.
He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were patriotic and that ensuring the protection of their lives and property was essential.