Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has firmly stated that the Chief Minister and Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not be permitted to engage in independent dealings with Afghanistan, reinforcing that foreign affairs and defence matters fall squarely under the jurisdiction of the federal government, as stipulated by the Constitution.
Speaking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif emphasized that the constitutional and legal framework clearly designates the federal government as the authority responsible for conducting negotiations with Afghanistan. He declared, “The Chief Minister and Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not be allowed to enter into independent negotiations with Afghanistan.”
The Defence Minister further underlined that if the provincial leaders wish to engage with Afghanistan, the federal government would not provide permission. He stressed that such actions lack legal or constitutional legitimacy and asserted that no one has the authority to impose their stance on the federal government.
Khawaja Asif also encouraged the Chief Minister and Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to present their opinions and proposals within formal federal meetings. He welcomed them to express their views on potential solutions, within the framework of federal oversight, for addressing the matter.
