Atta Tarar Says KP Government’s ‘Double Policy’ Fueling Terrorism

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has failed to fulfil its responsibility of protecting citizens, accusing it of pursuing a double policy on terrorism and refusing to take ownership of counterterrorism operations.

Speaking in Islamabad, Tarar said the provincial government was not prepared to change its approach despite the deteriorating security situation in the province.

“They talk about changing the policy, but this amounts to providing protection to terrorists,” Tarar said. “Their double policy is the reason bodies are falling in the province today, while innocent children and rescue workers are losing their lives.”

He said the protection of citizens’ lives and property was the foremost responsibility of any government and questioned why the KP government had failed to convene the provincial Apex Committee.

“Who has stopped you from holding a provincial Apex Committee meeting? You are the only provincial government that does not hold Apex Committee meetings,” he said.

Tarar said the provincial government had also failed to strengthen the Counter Terrorism Department, install Safe City cameras and take ownership of operations against terrorists.

“I have said before: are you with Pakistan or Afghanistan? You take benefits from Pakistan but favour Afghanistan,” he said.

He added that the provincial government had never condemned drones or firing coming from Afghanistan and accused it of failing to implement the National Action Plan.

“I say this clearly: they are the TTP’s B-team and the TTA’s A-team,” Tarar said.

The information minister said thousands of security forces and police personnel had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, but the provincial government had failed to demonstrate the required commitment to the counterterrorism campaign.

Referring to funding, Tarar said the KP government had received more than Rs700 billion under the NFC since coming to power. He said Rs45 billion had been allocated for police, but only around Rs1.5 billion had been released.

“The provincial government does not even utilise the funds allocated for countering terrorism,” he said.

Tarar said the provincial government’s priority was securing the release of a convicted person instead of addressing terrorism and protecting people.

He also accused the KP government of seeking to provide more space to terrorists in the merged districts and allowing illegal trade and smuggling to expand.

“To hell with your politics; protecting citizens comes first,” Tarar said.

Referring to the security situation in Hangu and Kohat, Tarar said he would have personally gone to Kohat to express solidarity with the victims and their families.

He said the KP government could not stop terrorism with its existing approach, adding that its policy was aimed at supporting terrorists rather than confronting them.

Tarar also said no one would be allowed to disturb law and order, adding that the provincial government’s “double standards and nexus with terrorists” had become evident.