Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has levelled sharp criticism at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government, saying it has not publicly condemned militant groups while security personnel and ordinary citizens keep being hit in attacks. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting, he said the time had come for a firm decision on the matter.
Sharif said civilians had been targeted in terrorist attacks for two years, even as the armed forces carried out round-the-clock operations to hunt down and kill militants. He described the KP administration as a bystander that had not taken effective steps to break up terrorist networks.
Federal funding and concerns over the Counter-Terrorism Department
He further claimed that Islamabad had handed the KP government Rs800 billion over the last decade to tackle terrorism, yet the provincial authority had failed to strengthen its Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). According to him, the province had neither worked alongside the centre against militancy nor spoken out against armed groups.
Afghanistan message and alleged plot against Islamabad
Turning to Afghanistan, Sharif said Pakistan had made repeated attempts to convey its concerns, but those concerns had not been heeded. He also alleged that a group had planned to march on the capital with hostile intentions, aiming to push Pakistan back to the brink of destruction.
He asserted that the government would not allow these efforts to succeed and that the law would be enforced under all circumstances.
