Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has stated that Pakistan cannot allow terrorist groups to operate with impunity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that protecting citizens and restoring lasting peace require decisive action, effective governance and an uncompromising commitment to counterterrorism.
Addressing a conference in Islamabad on the evolving landscape of counterterrorism, the federal minister criticised the provincial government’s handling of the security situation, arguing that effective measures had not been taken to address terrorism despite years of governance. He said that repeated loss of innocent lives demonstrated the seriousness of the challenge and maintained that extraordinary measures had become necessary to protect the public.
Tarar stated that the decision to impose emergency measures and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was taken in the interest of public safety after the situation had reached a critical point. He emphasised that the state could not remain passive while terrorist violence continued to threaten civilians, security personnel and the province’s overall stability.
The minister’s remarks brought renewed attention to three central issues: the provincial government’s responsibility for addressing terrorism, the utilisation of financial resources allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the presence of terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory.
During his address, Tarar questioned the performance of the provincial government, stating that effective action against terrorism had remained insufficient despite approximately 13 years of governance under successive provincial administrations.
He argued that the persistence of terrorist violence demanded greater accountability and a comprehensive reassessment of the policies pursued to maintain law and order. According to the minister, the continued loss of lives could not be separated from questions about the effectiveness of governance, security planning and the implementation of counterterrorism measures.
Tarar maintained that protecting citizens must remain the foremost responsibility of every government and that political considerations should not obstruct efforts to counter terrorist threats.
He said the federal government’s decision to pursue extraordinary measures was driven by the need to safeguard the population and address a deteriorating security situation. He stressed that the objective of such action was to strengthen public protection and ensure that terrorist organisations could not exploit administrative weaknesses.
The minister’s remarks placed the provincial government’s security performance at the centre of the wider debate over the most effective approach to counterterrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal minister also raised questions about the utilisation of funds allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the National Finance Commission (NFC) arrangements.
He asked where the provincial resources had been spent and whether their utilisation had delivered the expected improvements in public safety, law enforcement and counterterrorism capacity. The question highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public finances, particularly when a province faces persistent security challenges.
Resources allocated to provincial governments support a range of responsibilities, including public services, development and administrative functions. Assessing their use requires a detailed examination of budget allocations, expenditure records and the performance of relevant departments.
Tarar’s remarks underscored the need for a transparent assessment of whether available resources have been effectively directed towards addressing the province’s security requirements.
Turning to regional security, Tarar said Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities through international and diplomatic forums to ensure that Afghan territory was not used by terrorist groups to launch activities against Pakistan.
The minister stated that, according to Pakistan’s security assessments, more than 20,000 extremists were present in Afghanistan, including more than 6,000 fighters belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He said these groups were operating from safe locations in Afghanistan and receiving different forms of training. The figures and assessments cited by the minister were presented as Pakistan’s position on the cross-border security challenge.
Tarar stressed that the presence of terrorist networks capable of threatening neighbouring countries remained a serious concern for regional stability. He reiterated Pakistan’s demand that Afghan authorities take effective measures to prevent their territory from being used for terrorist activities.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that sustainable peace along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border requires practical action against groups responsible for cross-border attacks, alongside effective cooperation on security matters.
The minister’s remarks reinforced Islamabad’s position that preventing terrorist organisations from using Afghan territory against Pakistan is essential to improving bilateral relations and reducing regional instability.
Tarar emphasised that Pakistan had paid an extraordinary human and economic price in its efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism. He stated that the country had suffered more than $100 billion in economic losses as a result of the prolonged conflict. He also highlighted the sacrifices made by civilians, security personnel and public institutions in confronting terrorist violence.
According to the minister, Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts have contributed not only to its own national security but also to the wider international effort to prevent extremist violence and protect regional and global stability.
He maintained that Pakistan’s experience demonstrated the devastating consequences of terrorism for economic development, public confidence and the functioning of state institutions. The minister stressed that these sacrifices must be recognised internationally and that Pakistan would continue working to eliminate terrorist threats and strengthen the security of its citizens.
Addressing the broader challenge of extremism, Tarar said Pakistan continued to face a serious and evolving threat but remained determined to confront it through collective national resolve. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between state institutions and the public, arguing that an effective response required more than security operations alone. Strong governance, institutional coordination, public awareness and the rejection of extremist ideologies were also essential components of a sustainable counterterrorism strategy.
The minister maintained that Pakistan’s institutions and citizens remained committed to defending the country against terrorist violence and protecting the social and economic foundations of the state. He also stressed that efforts to combat terrorism must remain focused on achieving lasting peace rather than merely responding to individual incidents.
