PM Shehbaz urges provincial government to join federal counterterrorism efforts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government to stop remaining a silent spectator to the worsening security situation and work with the federal government to eliminate terrorism.

Addressing a key federal cabinet meeting on Sunday, Shehbaz said militant attacks were taking place daily in the province, yet the provincial administration had failed to take a sufficiently active role in counterterrorism efforts.

“We want the KP government to work with the federal government to eliminate terrorism, but it is not willing to support the Centre against terrorists,” the prime minister said.

He described the provincial government’s alleged inaction as assistance to terrorism and called for greater cooperation between the two administrations.

Shehbaz also criticised the provincial government over its reported plan to march on Islamabad, saying terrorist attacks had claimed the lives of ordinary citizens over the past two years.

Referring to the deteriorating security situation, he said attacks continued in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and other areas, while the provincial government had not publicly condemned the incidents as expected.

KP Emergency Ministers say government spent a month seeking provincial cooperation

The prime minister said the federal government had provided Rs800 billion to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for counterterrorism efforts. He reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to eliminating terrorism and stressed that the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan was unacceptable.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the K-P administration over security policy and responsibility for tackling militant violence.

Shehbaz also turned to the country’s economic outlook, referring to a recent staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He expressed hope that Pakistan would receive a $1.2 billion tranche before the end of the year.

The prime minister recalled his meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last month. He praised the political and military leadership for working together to maintain fiscal discipline and support economic stability.

He also referred to his visit to London last month, during which he met senior executives of leading international financial institutions to strengthen Pakistan’s economic engagement.

Turning to foreign policy, Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and said the country had received appreciation for its role in mediation efforts related to the conflict in the Middle East.

He praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying Pakistan continued to pursue its diplomatic responsibilities with sincerity and commitment.

The prime minister also condemned a recent Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding relationship with the kingdom.

“Our only goal is that peace should be restored in the region,” Shehbaz said, adding that Pakistan stood in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and would not tolerate aggression against it.

He described any aggression against Saudi Arabia as a red line for Pakistan, underscoring the importance Islamabad places on its ties with Riyadh.