Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has criticised the federal government’s approach to counterterrorism, calling for a change in policy and greater provincial input in decisions concerning security.
Afridi, who became KP chief minister in October 2025, has repeatedly called for changes to the federal government’s counterterrorism and Afghanistan policies. During a law and order meeting in Peshawar, he said providing additional resources to the police alone would not resolve the security situation without a change in policy.
The chief minister said his government had repeatedly warned that the existing approach was not producing the desired results and urged the federal authorities to review the policy.
His remarks came as Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised the PTI-led KP government over its handling of counterterrorism.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said political leadership had three key responsibilities in the fight against terrorism: providing leadership, resources and authority to security forces.
He alleged that the KP government had not provided adequate leadership or resources to the province’s security institutions. Chaudhry also questioned the utilisation of funds allocated for counterterrorism and raised concerns about the operational capacity of the Counter-Terrorism Department, police equipment, training and other security infrastructure.
The minister also criticised the proposed KP Police Act, saying the legislation could affect the powers of the provincial inspector general.
Chaudhry further questioned the KP government’s approach towards Afghanistan and called for a clearer position on allegations concerning the presence of militant groups across the border.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar separately alleged that the PTI-led provincial government had failed to take sufficient practical measures against terrorism. He also questioned the utilisation of counterterrorism resources and accused the provincial administration of failing to ensure the registration of vehicles, which he said could assist law-enforcement agencies in monitoring criminal and terrorist activity.
The allegations made by federal ministers were part of a broader dispute between the federal and provincial governments over responsibility for counterterrorism policy, security resources and relations with Afghanistan.
Chaudhry said Islamabad had repeatedly raised concerns with Kabul regarding alleged militant sanctuaries and attacks originating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan has continued to press the Afghan Taliban administration to take action against militant groups that Islamabad says operate from Afghan soil. Afghan authorities have disputed several Pakistani allegations concerning responsibility for attacks.
The dispute has intensified amid recent cross-border security incidents and Pakistani military strikes against alleged militant targets in Afghanistan.
Separately, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi urged the provincial government to postpone PTI’s planned long march towards Islamabad, citing the province’s security situation.
PTI has announced that its long march will depart from Peshawar on October 4.
Kundi called for political parties and other stakeholders to discuss the security situation and said the provincial government should focus on law and order.
He has also raised concerns over the proposed changes to the KP police law and the division of responsibilities between the provincial government and police leadership.
The continuing exchange of statements reflects a wider dispute between the federal and KP governments over counterterrorism policy, allocation of security resources, police authority and the province’s approach towards Afghanistan.
