KP Govt Fails on Security, Prosecution & Governance: Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar Criticizes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, Highlights Security and Governance Failures.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has strongly criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government, highlighting failures in law enforcement, prosecution, and anti-terrorism measures. Speaking to the media, he addressed national security concerns, the role of Pakistan’s armed forces, and alleged links between political actors and criminal networks.

Minister Tarar said that the KP government’s weaknesses are a major reason for the increase in cross-border infiltrations. He claimed that over 4,000 terrorism-related cases in the province have not progressed to formal charges due to an ineffective prosecution system. He added that during the past 12 years, the province has failed to develop a robust prosecution mechanism. He stressed that while Chief Ministers may lead protests outside courts, they fail to strengthen the prosecution system that falls under provincial jurisdiction.

He further emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces continue to fight terrorism at the cost of their lives, but terrorists apprehended by the military often see no judicial action because the provincial government lacks the legal capacity to conduct trials. Thousands of cases remain pending, with many going unpunished.

The minister also criticized the KP government for failing to address the issue of non-custom-paid (NCP) vehicles, which he said have caused billions in losses to the national treasury. He alleged that political-criminal networks prevent reforms and that KP remains the only province in the country where thousands of such vehicles operate. Tarar claimed that district administrations allow NCP-plated vehicles to run freely, sometimes even being used in high-profile incidents like the sensitive Basham event. He suggested that registering these vehicles legally could generate up to 800 billion PKR for the national treasury, highlighting the province’s mismanagement of revenue resources.

Minister Tarar accused the KP government of promoting drug smuggling and illegal trade, claiming that political figures are involved. He said that from January to August 2025, over 10,000 drug trafficking cases were registered, but only 679 resulted in convictions. According to him, funds from these activities end up in the hands of terrorists and political actors connected to PTI.

He also highlighted environmental concerns in KP, stating that illegal marble mining is causing serious damage. He criticized the provincial government for issuing illegal contracts and failing to regulate the industry.

Addressing cross-border security, Tarar emphasized that Pakistan’s army continues to thwart infiltration from Afghanistan. He accused the PTI-led provincial government of failing to condemn terrorist attacks, including the G-11 court attack in Islamabad, which he claimed had direct links to Afghan-based terrorist facilitators. He criticized PTI leaders, including Imran Khan’s family members, for allegedly being present during incidents or indirectly supporting anti-state narratives. He also condemned PTI figures for promoting anti-Pakistan propaganda on Indian channels instead of addressing human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, questioning their priorities and loyalty to Pakistan.

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Tarar contrasted the federal government’s tax and administrative reforms with the KP provincial administration, praising the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for globally recognized reforms. He highlighted that effective taxation could generate hundreds of billions of rupees, which the KP government is allegedly failing to collect due to negligence and criminal-political alliances.

He concluded by stressing that Pakistan’s armed forces remain vigilant and ready to protect the country despite political interference. He asserted that PTI prioritizes personal and political gain over national interests and that provincial mismanagement continues to undermine security, governance, and economic stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This comprehensive criticism comes amid growing concerns over cross-border terrorism, law enforcement weaknesses, and the influence of political-criminal networks in the province.