Islamabad (The COW News Digital) The federal government and security establishment have conveyed a clear message to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership that there can be no compromise on the country’s counterterrorism policy and that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cannot pursue a security strategy separate from the national policy.
According to informed sources familiar with the matter, PTI leadership has been told that the federal government and security establishment view the growing threat of terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as part of what they describe as external aggression.
The sources said Pakistan’s assessment is that Afghan territory is being used for attacks against the country and that foreign elements are allegedly involved in supporting terrorism inside Pakistan. According to the sources, India has been identified by Pakistani authorities as playing a central role in the alleged external threat, while Israel’s possible involvement is also being discussed in the broader security assessment.
The sources stressed that responding to any external aggression falls within the federal government’s responsibility. They said the national security policy would be formulated by the federal government in consultation with the military and defence establishment, while provincial governments would be expected to fully support and implement the policy.
A source involved in talks with PTI leadership said that when the country faces a situation regarded by the state as external aggression, separate security policies for different provinces cannot be adopted.
The message comes amid growing political tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Disagreements have intensified over how the province should respond to the deteriorating security situation and how closely its administration should coordinate with the centre and security institutions.
According to the sources, the federal government considers the continuing terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the broader security threat unacceptable. Islamabad has therefore made it clear that any provincial approach conflicting with the national counterterrorism policy would not be acceptable.
The federal government also expects the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration to cooperate fully with security forces and other law-enforcement agencies in implementing the national counterterrorism strategy, the sources said.
The sources added that the purpose of communicating the message to PTI leadership was also to make clear that political disagreements between Islamabad and Peshawar should not undermine the state’s collective response to security challenges.
From the federal government’s perspective, once a national security policy is established in response to the perceived threat of external aggression, provincial governments are expected to support and implement it rather than formulate separate strategies, according to the sources.
The federal government and security establishment want the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to demonstrate through its actions that it fully supports the national security framework and is prepared to provide maximum cooperation to security forces in counterterrorism operations.
The sources said the issue is no longer being viewed merely as a political dispute between Islamabad and Peshawar. Instead, it is increasingly being treated as a matter of national security, with the federal government maintaining that final authority over national security policy and strategy rests with the centre.
The developments could further shape relations between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments as both sides navigate political differences alongside growing security concerns in the province.
