Info minister alleges 'nexus' between PTI-led KP govt, terrorists

AI Summary

Pakistan’s information minister alleged that the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has an understanding with terrorist groups, claims the province’s officials have not established here. The allegations come amid a federal emergency in KP and a dispute between the federal and provincial governments over counterterrorism policy.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday alleged that the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had a “nexus” with terrorist groups, as the Centre explained that the province’s security situation necessitated the imposition of emergency there. The press conference by government ministers — Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry — came shortly after the Centre imposed emergency in KP, citing the provincial government’s lack of efforts to combat terrorism. The Centre and the PTI — which was in power in KP — have been at odds over various issues, particularly on the counterterrorism policy, which was one of the main reasons behind the breakdown of their Oct 3 talks. Addressing the media in Islamabad, the information minister said all cabinet members who attended Sunday’s meeting were of the view that the “PTI government in KP is hand in glove with terrorists and has an unholy alliance with terrorists”. “Terrorists have a clear say in how each district will be run,” he alleged, citing reports from the Intelligence Bureau and law enforcement agencies (LEAs). He contended that while other political parties faced terrorist attacks in the region, the PTI got “secure access and passage” thanks to its alleged alliance with such groups. “What is the reason that even police stations of some districts have been sublet to the Taliban?” Tarar asked, emphasising that the case was not merely of inaction and incompetence but of “empowering” the terrorists. The minister went on to allege that a “power-sharing formula was gradually taking shape between terrorists and the PTI’s KP government, which was starting from southern districts and was ingressing further into the entire KP”. He said the “unholy alliance and the nexus between them, as a result of which they had outsourced several districts to terrorists,” enabled the martyrdom of people and attacks on civilian infrastructure. “I say this publicly that these [Taliban] are foreign-funded people who want to bring our country to destruction,” he said, asserting that a provincial government’s facilitation towards such elements was a “constitutional breakdown”. Tarar referred to the recent bill regarding police assignments and alleged that the KP government wanted to “hire individuals from terrorist groups in the police”. “They were gradually dragging the entire province towards destruction, irrefutable proof and evidence of which is available.” Meanwhile, the interior minister warned the groups gathered in parts of KP — an apparent reference to PTI supporters taking part in its long march — to disperse as they did not have any “provincial protection”. “Whoever is caught, complete legal action will be taken and that person themselves will be responsible for it. We will deal with them strictly, so it is my request that please disperse.” Responding to a query, Naqvi said, “We have to restore law and order in KP, and we will take whatever action is needed for that, and we will normalise the situation as soon as we can.” Asked about the reported arrests of KP ministers, Naqvi said individuals would be held under preventative detention where required to maintain law and order, whereas those “wanted will be arrested”. Responding to a query highlighting terrorism in Balochistan, the interior minister said counterterrorism operations in recent months there had resulted in a “difference” in the situation there. On the KP emergency, the law minister explained that an Area Development Secretariat (ADS), overseen by the governor, has been formed by the federal government to directly manage 12 districts “that were nearly in a war situation”. He noted that Parliament assumes the legislative powers of the provincial assembly as the latter stands non-functional. KP Advisory Council formed The minister then questioned the KP cabinet’s performance, hailed the province getting “riddance from this group” and provided details of a technocratic KP Advisory Council. The 11-member council has been formed by the Centre as part of the emergency measures under Article 232 of the Constitution, according to an order seen by Dawn. It will assist the governor in exercising the functions of the KP government on behalf of the federal government. Through the order, the Centre also appointed Advocate Sanaullah as the KP advocate general. The province’s home affairs will be overseen by former prisons chief Kifayatullah Khan, described as “very competent” by Tarar. Tariq Mahmood Pasha, a former FBR chief and an aide to then-finance minister Ishaq Dar, has been assigned as advisor for finance affairs. MNA Samar Haroon Bilour has been appointed as information adviser, while retired Lt Gen Nigar Johar has been tasked with health affairs. Former advocate general Amir Javed was assigned the portfolio for law; ex-senator Osman Saifullah Khan will advise the governor on energy and power; Asif Rafiq Afridi was given the portfolio