PESHAWAR: Provincial information minister Shafiullah Jan on Monday called for a joint strategy to fight terrorism, saying the issue should not be used for political point scoring.

“Terrorism is a national issue, so a joint strategy is required for its elimination,” he told a news conference here.

Accompanied by special assistant to the chief minister for home and tribal affairs Tariq Saeed Marwat, the minister claimed that federal ministers had presented incorrect figures about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to “distort facts”.

He said that federal ministers were trying to create an impression that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was not taking measures to eliminate terrorism.

Calls for joint strategy to fight terrorism; says provincial govt committed to restoration of peace

Mr Jan said the statements of the federal ministers undermined the sacrifices of the KP police and were meant to create a negative narrative against the PTI government.

“If law and order is being cited as a justification to impose the governor’s rule in KP, then the situation in Balochistan should also be examined,” he said.

The minister warned that any such move in KP would attract a strong public response.

He said terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged after 9/11 and that PTI founder Imran Khan had opposed drone strikes in the erstwhile Fata.

Mr Jan said the PTI government worked for the establishment of peace and development after coming into power in 2013.

He claimed that the security situation improved during prime minister Imran Khan’s government but it started deteriorating after his removal.

The minister criticised federal information minister Attaullah Tarar for his remarks about KP and said that if he was visiting the province to assess the situation, he should also visit Balochistan.

Mr Jan said the KP government was ready to sit with all stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive strategy to eliminate terrorism.

He, however, questioned the federal government’s approach to address the issue.

About the postponement of the PTI’s march on Islamabad, the minister said the move was part of his party’s political strategy.

He said that the federal government was attempting to pit the people against state institutions but his government would foil such efforts.

“We stand with Pakistan. Pakistan is part of our faith,” he said.

Regarding the procurement of modern equipment for the provincial police, the minister said Rs7.4 billion had been paid to the relevant federal institutions for 57 items, but only 13 had so far been supplied to the KP police.

He alleged that unnecessary delays were being caused in the supply of the remaining equipment.

Mr Jan said the KP government had placed the strengthening of police and law and order among its top priorities. He said the police budget had been increased to Rs191 billion, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had allocated a special package of Rs35 billion for the police and counter-terrorism department.

“After health and education, the police have received the largest budgetary allocation,” he said.

Mr Jan said KP had to bear a heavy human and financial cost in the war against terrorism, claiming that around 80,000 people lost their lives over the years.

“Despite these sacrifices, KP is still being subjected to criticism and taunts instead of being given its due share,” he said.

The minister said that the federal government’s policies led to an increase in incidents of terrorism.

He said the chief minister had written several letters seeking a meeting of the apex committee but had yet to receive a response.

Mr Jan said that the KP government did not want confrontation with state institutions and was committed to restoration of peace and fighting terrorism.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026