Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the federal government were now working together against terrorism. During a National Assembly session, the minister stated that both sides were finally on the same page in dealing with security threats. The Khawaja Asif terrorism statement came while discussing the worsening law and order situation in KP.
The minister responded to criticism raised by JUI-F leader Noor Alam Khan, who expressed concern over rising terrorist attacks in the province. Alam claimed that residents of KP were living in fear and facing difficulties due to repeated violence. He also criticised both provincial and federal authorities for failing to provide enough protection to citizens.
In his address, Khawaja Asif praised the recent cooperation between the KP government, the Centre, and security institutions. He said all provinces must share responsibility in the fight against terrorism. According to him, peace and stability could only be achieved through collective national efforts and coordination among all stakeholders.
The Khawaja Asif terrorism statement also focused on Pakistan’s engagement with Afghanistan. The defence minister revealed that Islamabad had held several rounds of talks with Kabul in recent years. He mentioned meetings in Kabul, Turkiye, and Qatar, but said no meaningful outcome had been achieved despite long discussions.
Asif claimed that the Afghan Taliban government had verbally assured Pakistan about preventing attacks from Afghan soil but had refused to provide written guarantees. He stressed that Pakistan had exhausted diplomatic efforts to stop cross-border terrorism. He added that regional countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, also attempted to support negotiations.
During the assembly session, the minister accused Afghanistan of supporting groups involved in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. He further alleged that India was indirectly involved through regional proxies. The Khawaja Asif terrorism statement included strong remarks about national security and warned that Pakistan would take necessary action if attacks continued.
The minister concluded by saying Pakistan remained open to dialogue but would not compromise on national security. He said terrorism remained a shared national challenge, especially for KP and Balochistan due to their proximity to Afghanistan. The government, he added, would continue efforts to protect citizens and maintain regional stability.
