Attaullah Tarar accuses PTI-led KP government of failing to tackle terrorism

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of failing to effectively tackle terrorism and demanded an account of funds provided to the province for counter-terrorism.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar held a joint news conference in Islamabad, where they addressed the security situation, counter-terrorism efforts and the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Tarar reiterated his allegation that the PTI leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was acting as the “B-team” of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He said leaders belonging to the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, while questioning why, according to him, terrorists did not target PTI leaders.

“Why is it that terrorists do not say anything to PTI?” Tarar questioned, while also accusing the party of involvement in financing terrorists.

Tarar demands account of counter-terrorism funds

The information minister questioned how funds provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for counter-terrorism had been utilised.

He said the provincial government received billions of rupees every year under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and demanded that it explain where money allocated for counter-terrorism had been spent.

Tarar accused the KP government of spending funds on political protests instead of strengthening the police and alleged that the provincial administration wanted to turn the KP Police into a “political wing” of PTI.

He said the Interior Ministry had offered modern vehicles to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police but claimed that the provincial government refused to accept them.

Tarar also questioned why non-custom-paid vehicles continued to operate in the province and why even motorcycles were being used without number plates.

He alleged that the provincial government was deliberately failing to bring non-custom-paid vehicles within the legal framework, claiming that such vehicles were also used in terrorist activities.

‘KP leadership left police at terrorists’ mercy’

Tarar said the federal government remained firmly committed to eliminating terrorism and maintained that the National Action Plan was being implemented.

He accused the PTI leadership of leaving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police “at the mercy of terrorists” and said the provincial leadership had not condemned firing from Afghanistan.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is burning in the fire of terrorism,” Tarar said, accusing the provincial leadership of focusing its attention on securing the release of a prisoner — an apparent reference to PTI founder Imran Khan.

Referring to a recent attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Tarar claimed that one of the terrorists involved in the attack belonged to Kabul.

Tarar questions PTI’s governance record in KP

The information minister also criticised the provincial government’s performance in healthcare and other public services, saying PTI had governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for more than 12 years.

He questioned what measures had been taken to improve healthcare and claimed that people from the province still had to travel to other provinces to access basic facilities.

Tarar accused KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of administrative and political failure and alleged that the provincial government had failed to contain terrorism.

He also accused elements involved in illegal mining of protecting their own interests and criticised the provincial government over its approach towards the Public Service Commission, alleging that it wanted to bring appointment powers under its own control.

Tarar draws comparison with Balochistan

Tarar contrasted the KP government’s approach with that of Balochistan, saying the Balochistan government was taking effective measures to confront terrorism.

He praised Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and said his participation in National Action Plan-related meetings over the past year could be compared with that of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Tarar said Bugti was using the available resources to confront terrorism and deserved recognition for his efforts.

The information minister said the government remained determined to eradicate terrorism and reiterated that the National Action Plan was being implemented across the country.

PTI’s response to the allegations made during the news conference was not immediately available.