ISLAMABAD: Federal ministers have said two different policies against terrorism in one country cannot run. "Government tried to hold talks with PTI and KP government several time for forging consensus on joint policy against the terrorism. However Chief Minister (CM) KP did not agree for coordinated steps against terrorism, this was said by information Minister Attaullah Tarar at a briefing for foreign media representatives alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar here Tuesday.
Atta Ullah Tarar has said federal government agenda is not political but it was adopting consensus strategy against terrorism. PTI was free to continue its long march and present its other political demands. But there can be no two different policies in a country on the matter of terrorism.
He said that on one side Pakistan is demanding of interim Afghan government at diplomatic level that Afghan soil be not allowed to be used against Pakistan for terrorism and safe havens of terrorists he eliminated while stance of KP government about Afghanistan remained different from it.
He stated we had agreed on an accord during the talks. But chief minister rejected it.
The minister said the provincial governance system had become paralysed and the law and order situation had deteriorated significantly, accompanied by a marked increase in terrorist activities.
The information minister said the KP government had received approximately Rs800 billion through the National Finance Commission (NFC) mechanism and questioned why the funds had not been used more effectively to strengthen the province's counterterrorism capabilities.
He stressed that the money had not been spent on establishing the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), installing Safe City surveillance cameras, developing an effective counter-extremism narrative, setting up forensic laboratories or procuring modern equipment for the police.
Recalling his recent visit to Kohat, where a terrorist attack had taken place, Tarar said he had met injured victims at a hospital and visited the homes of those killed in the incident.
He said residents of KP wanted terrorism to end despite the hardships they had endured, adding that the injured had demonstrated considerable courage and determination.
Questioning the provincial government's handling of security, he asked how a government responsible for protecting citizens' lives and property could allegedly facilitate terrorist activities.
He further alleged that a nexus existed between politics, terrorism and crime in the province.
The Information Minister said when a government mandated to protect its citizens begins supporting terrorists, the state is left with no option but to exercise its constitutional jurisdiction.
Emphasizing the credentials of the individuals in the new setup, he said each member is accomplished in their respective field, has extensive experience in public service delivery, and possesses integrity beyond any doubt.
He said the new setup has brought renewed hope and assurance that law and order would be maintained in the province. He said improved security would also pave the way for development.
He said the steps which have been taken are correct legally under 1973 constitution.
Law minister Azam Nazir Tarar said President declared emergency in KP by exercising his powers under articles 232 and 234 of the constitution. The president can declare emergency on the advice of prime minister under the constitution. While advice of prime minister and satisfaction of the president are part of this process.
The growing incidents of terrorism and reports from different government agencies were main factors in declaration of emergency.
He indicated 2,911 terrorist incidents were reported in the province between 2021 and 2024, while the number subsequently rose to approximately 8,600, representing an increase of around 200 per cent.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said President Asif Ali Zardari had proclaimed an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
He said the rising number of terrorist incidents had been a significant factor in the decision to impose emergency.
The law minister said no specific timeframe could be given for the duration of the emergency or governor's rule, explaining that the two measures had different durations and could be extended if circumstances required.
He described the Constitution as the fundamental document governing the state's system and defining the procedures for dealing with different situations.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said Pakistan was in the grip of terrorism for decades, with its effects becoming evident across the region following the Afghan war. He added that the Pakistani nation had made significant sacrifices in the fight against militancy and that counterterrorism efforts continued.
The law minister said terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had increased considerably in recent years.
The minister said the Pakistan Army was assisting in law enforcement and maintaining internal security, while defending the country's borders remained its primary responsibility.
He added that the armed forces helped provincial governments tackle internal unrest when required, praising the military and security agencies for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Protecting the lives of innocent citizens, he said, was a fundamental responsibility of the state.
Azam Nazeer Tarar stressed the need for stronger coordination among relevant institutions to make counterterrorism efforts more effective. He said the powers of federal and provincial governments were distributed under the Constitution and that both levels of government were required to operate within their respective constitutional and legal mandates.
He said it is highly unfortunate that, at a time when security personnel and civilians were being targeted by terrorists, the PTI-led provincial government's priority was not to curb terrorism through coordinated efforts with federal agencies, but to mobilize people for political gains.
The Law Minister said the decision concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been taken by the federal cabinet through consensus, without any dissent, to protect the people of the province and strengthen the federation.
Law minister said strong coordination between the respective agencies is must to launch efforts against terrorism effective. Powers of federal and provincial governments are distributed under the constitution in the country. Federal and provincial governments work within their legal and constitutional powers of jurisdiction.