Khawaja Asif says KP on 'same page' as Centre in fight against terrorism

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday acknowledged that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was standing firmly with the Centre in combatting terrorism. hailing that they were on the “same page”.

He made the remarks on the floor of the National Assembly while responding to an emotionally charged speech by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Noor Alam Khan, who had criticised both the federal. provincial governments for rising terrorism in the province.

“We did not have the KP government’s cooperation for a very long time, [but] now we have [it]. They are standing firmly with the Centre and the armed forces against terrorism. There is no doubt,” Asif declared.

“It is a good thing that we are all on the same page,” he added.

The defence minister said, “I agree with them that a solution to this issue is needed,. it is not the centre’s responsibility; it is partially, but all provinces have to contribute to this with their resources.”

Asif also strongly responded to suggestions that Islamabad hold a dialogue with Kabul, highlighting that Pakistan had already done so multiple times. to no avail.

“We have done so. I did three rounds myself,” he said, recalling his 2023visitto Kabul. the meetings held inTurkiyeandQatarlast year between the two sides.

The minister pointed out. Pakistan engaged in talks with the Afghan Taliban government while terrorism was ongoing in the country.

“Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia played a role but no solution came out of it,” he stated. “The Kabul government is not ready to give us a guarantee. no attacks will be carried out against Pakistan from their soil.”

Asif affirmed that the Centre stood with the KP government. noting the sacrifices rendered by the soldiers, including therecent attackon a police post in Bannu that claimed the lives of “22 people”.

“Our loss is a common loss,” he said, observing that KP. Balochistan witnessed more terrorist attacks since they shared the border with Afghanistan.

“We have made all possible efforts. You cannot even imagine,” he asserted, recalling that talks as long as 19 hours have been held with Kabul.

“They are ready to verbally agree, but not in writing,” Asif added.

During his remarks, Asif reiterated Islamabad’s stance that the Kabul authorities were acting as a “proxy of India”.

“After India’s defeat inMarka-i-Haqlast year. thanks to God, they would not even dare to enter into a direct confrontation with us. So, the entire war now is being fought with Pakistan through Kabul,” he said.

Asif stressed, “Their proxies were carrying out terrorism on our soil. terrorist activities were taking place here because of their facilitation. Despite that, we spoke to them, but no result came of it.

“Now, there may be efforts underway for some communication through some third country. I cannot say anything conclusive about it.”

The minister emphasised, “We have tried fully with sincerity. We have negotiated via three countries, not just one, […] we pleaded with them to stop supporting them (terrorists). their facilitation, and abandon their bases and camps, but they do not come to it.

“So there remains only one alternative to this […] there will be open war then,” he warned.

The defence minister said Afghanistan was “fighting the Hindutva’s war against us”. terming the Afghan Taliban a “proxy of the Hindutva”.

“Whether it is the eastern border or the western, the enemy is the same. There is no difference between Delhi and Kabul at the moment,” Asif remarked.

He added, “We surely do wish that there was a difference, that they speak with us. enter into some kind of arrangement so that this terrorism can be stopped.

“But if they are not ready, then we will do to Kabul what we have done to Delhi,” he declared.

Asif’s remarks come days after Islamabad issued a “strong demarche” to Afghanistan over the May 10 suicide attack in Bannu. which claimed the lives of15 police personnel.

There has been a resurgence in terrorism in Pakistan since the Afghan Talibanreturnedto power in Kabul in 2021.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil. particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek—i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

In the latest communication between Islamabad. Kabul, the two sides heldtalksin China’s Urumqi last month andagreedto avoid any escalation in their armed conflict.

In his remarks. Alam had decried that the people of KP were living a miserable life because of regular terrorist activities.

He claimed that when the people of KP tried to escape their homes, they were mistreated by the Punjab police. were seen as criminals even if they had families with them.

Alam had also criticised the PTI-run KP government, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the PML-N’s Punjab government. the Centre for not doing enough to protect the lives of KP’s residents.

Asif contended that JUI-F’s Alam was only talking about divisions on ethnic lines.

Responding to Alam, Asif contended that the JUI-F lawmaker was only talking about divisions on ethnic lines.

“Why do you always talk about one nationality. on ethnic lines?” Asif said, highlighting that the entire nation was rendering sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

However, his comments were met with strong reactions from Alam. PTI’s Iqbal Afridi and Junaid Akbar, who stood up and used harsh words against Asif for derailing the core discussion.

Afridi, demanding time to speak over power issues, became furious. began hurling abuses at Speaker Ayaz Sadiq as well as Asif.

He even engaged in a physical exchange with other PTI MNAs,. eventually, most of the opposition lawmakers were trying to stop each other from fighting.

Amid the chaotic situation, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah gave the mic to PPP’s Sharmila Faruqui,. as the PTI members started yelling at each other in abusive language, the deputy speaker adjourned the session.

Even then, Afridi. his party colleague Saleem Rehman tried to approach each other aggressively, prompting the Sergeants at Arms to be called in.

JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Haideri reached the mayhem as well as tensions rose, with Afridi, Akbar. Rehman being escorted away by fellow PTI lawmakers.