Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government now fully supports the Centre against terrorism. He told the National Assembly that cooperation improved after years of disagreements over security operations. His remarks matter because worsening attacks continue affecting residents in KP and Balochistan near the Afghan border.
Asif responded to criticism from JUI-F leader Noor Alam Khan during a heated parliamentary debate. Alam accused federal and provincial authorities of failing to protect KP residents from growing violence. He said displaced families faced mistreatment while travelling through Punjab during security emergencies. He also criticised the PTI-led KP administration and the federal government for weak counterterrorism measures.
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Meanwhile, Asif defended the government’s security policy and stressed that all provinces must share responsibility. He praised the armed forces and highlighted sacrifices made during recent attacks in Bannu. According to Asif, terrorism mainly impacts KP and Balochistan because both provinces border Afghanistan. He added that Pakistan made every possible diplomatic effort before considering tougher responses.
Furthermore, Asif revealed that Pakistan held several negotiations with Afghanistan through Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said talks failed because Kabul refused written guarantees against attacks launched from Afghan territory. Asif recalled meetings lasting many hours but producing no lasting security commitments. He warned that continued support for militant groups could push both countries toward open conflict.
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In addition, Asif repeated Islamabad’s claim that Afghanistan was acting as a proxy for India against Pakistan. He argued that militants received support and facilitation from Afghan territory despite ongoing diplomatic engagement. However, he said Pakistan still preferred dialogue and regional cooperation to stop cross-border terrorism. The minister concluded that Pakistan would respond firmly if attacks continued from across the border.