Gandapur defends K-P’s security efforts, announces Rs1b boost for counterterrorism

CM's remarks come as tensions escalate over law and order situation with deadly tribal clashes continuing in Kurram

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has rejected the federal government's claims that his administration has failed to address security challenges in the province. 

In a press conference on Sunday, Gandapur responded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent criticism regarding the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD)'s performance, stressing that the law and order situation in KP has improved under his leadership.

Gandapur pointed out that the provincial government had empowered the CTD, which he claimed had conducted "thousands of successful operations" against terrorists. He added that the provincial government is taking further steps to strengthen the department, including disbursing an additional Rs1 billion to the CTD. 

The CM also announced that special cells would be established for holding arrested suspects and that 20 new bulletproof vehicles would be purchased for the department. Furthermore, he revealed that the federal government had not paid Rs40 million in funds for the development of merged tribal districts.

In response to criticism about the CTD’s effectiveness, Gandapur highlighted that the department was "fully functional" and outlined several initiatives, including the distribution of 300 kits and drones for CTD personnel. He also highlighted that the quota for martyred officials' families had been increased from 5% to 12%, along with awarding plots to the heirs of fallen officers.

The CM's remarks came as tensions escalated over the law and order situation in K-P, with deadly tribal clashes continuing in Kurram district for over a week. 

Despite a 10-day truce, violence has persisted, bringing the death toll to 130 and leaving 186 others injured. Gandapur described the ongoing tribal conflict as "confusing" and noted that the violence had disrupted the Peshawar-Parachinar road and halted traffic at the Pak-Afghan Kharlachi border.

In another sign of growing political friction, Gandapur took aim at K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s decision to call an all-parties conference (APC) to discuss the province’s deteriorating security situation.

The CM rejected the idea, stating that it was not the governor's role to summon an APC. He asserted that, as the elected leader of the province, it was his responsibility to lead discussions on law and order.

Governor Kundi had previously expressed concerns over the worsening security situation in K-P, citing increasing attacks on police, security forces, and civilians. He planned to convene the APC in December to gather suggestions from political leaders on addressing the province's law and order issues. 

However, Gandapur's rejection of the governor’s move highlighted the ongoing tension between the provincial government and the federal authorities, as well as within the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

In addition to defending his administration's security record, Gandapur also criticised the federal government for creating "confusions" among the people of KP. He pointed out that the Centre had failed to disburse the promised funds for counterterrorism efforts and had not delivered any financial aid to the province for its ongoing security needs.