ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government of poor governance, inadequate development and failing to address growing security challenges, intensifying an ongoing political dispute between the federal and provincial administrations.
Tarar claimed that the provincial government had received Rs700 billion under the National Finance Commission (NFC) but had failed to adequately strengthen counterterrorism and public safety infrastructure.
The information minister alleged that the KP government had failed to upgrade its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), establish forensic laboratories or install Safe City cameras in merged districts and at entry and exit points across the province.
He accused the PTI of prioritising political protests over governance, claiming that provincial leaders devoted hours to political activities while failing to allocate sufficient time to discussing terrorism and security concerns.
Tarar further alleged that the provincial administration had neglected healthcare, education, infrastructure and economic development, arguing that ordinary citizens were bearing the consequences of these shortcomings.
He also reasserted his allegation that the party had facilitated militant activity, describing it as the “B-team” of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The minister claimed that several districts faced serious security challenges and questioned how long security forces would continue clearing areas of militants without sustained cooperation from the provincial government.
These statements indicate the deepening disagreement between the federal government and the PTI administration over counterterrorism policy and security responsibilities in KP.
Tarar said the province had suffered from inadequate governance during the PTI’s extended period in power.
He challenged Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to demonstrate the provincial government’s performance in healthcare, higher education, highways and technology initiatives for young people.
He also compared the federal government’s work under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with the provincial administration’s performance, arguing that KP needed practical reforms rather than confrontational politics.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Information for KP Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan claimed that 18 of the province’s 34 universities were approaching financial collapse. He also alleged that shortages of university leadership, inadequate healthcare and poor road infrastructure reflected wider governance problems.
Wali accused the provincial government of neglecting police personnel and funds intended for counterterrorism operations.
These claims were presented at the press conference and were not independently established in the remarks provided.
Governor’s Rule Question Remains Unresolved
Asked whether the federal government was considering imposing an emergency or governor’s rule in KP, Tarar said it would be premature to give a definitive answer. However, he expressed serious concern about the province’s security and governance situation.
The controversy comes amid strained relations between the PML-N-led federal government and the PTI, which has argued that it is being excluded from security-related decisions affecting KP. The federal government has rejected that allegation.
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Federal ministers have recently raised the possibility of emergency measures if cooperation on security matters does not improve.
The dispute underscores the challenge of reconciling political differences with the need for effective security coordination, public services and development. While the federal government has criticised the provincial administration, the allegations and counterclaims remain part of an increasingly contentious political debate.
