Ministers accuse PTI of failing to curb terrorism

The federal government on Sunday defended its decision to impose emergency rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), accusing the PTI-led provincial government of failing to curb terrorism, refusing to cooperate with federal authorities and allegedly maintaining links with militant groups.

At a press conference alongside other officials, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar argued that the deteriorating security situation and the provincial government's alleged reluctance to take ownership of counterterrorism efforts left the federation with little choice but to invoke extraordinary constitutional measures.

Naqvi said efforts continued for about a month to bring the K-P government on board, with back-channel contacts and negotiations taking place alongside discussions over PTI's planned long march.

He said the federal government had been addressing PTI's demands, including meetings with its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and the provision of medical treatment, even before the party's planned protest. However, repeated attempts to reach an understanding failed, with the final contact taking place at 11.45pm on Saturday.

The interior minister said the government had revised a draft agreement four times, but a new draft arrived when the matter appeared close to finalization. He insisted that the government's principal concern during the negotiations had been terrorism, rather than PTI's planned sit-in.

He also claimed that provincial representatives agreed during negotiations that emergency measures should be introduced in certain districts.

The minister said terrorist incidents had increased by 195% and fatalities by 113% over the preceding year and a half. He further claimed that 518 police personnel had been killed over 18 months.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the federal cabinet held a detailed meeting lasting more than two hours, during which reports from relevant institutions were presented. The K-P governor had also submitted a report to the federal government as part of his constitutional responsibilities, he added.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar went further, alleging that the PTI-led provincial government had a deep nexus with terrorist groups and was not serious about eliminating militancy.

He claimed that reports from the Intelligence Bureau and law enforcement agencies described the situation as extremely alarming. Alleging that terrorists had been given safe access to the province and financial resources, he said the relationship between terrorists and the PTI had reached a stage of power-sharing.

Attaullah questioned whether the provincial government was unable or unwilling to fulfil its constitutional responsibility to protect citizens. He also alleged that groups responsible for attacks on civilians, hospitals, mosques, police stations and security personnel had been empowered by the provincial administration.