ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had offered full cooperation to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in the fight against terrorism, emphasizing the need for joint efforts under the National Action Plan (NAP).
Speaking on Geo News’ program Naya Pakistan, Tarar stressed that political dialogue should never be abandoned, but provincial responsibilities must also be taken seriously. He said that while politics is every leader’s right, ensuring law and order—particularly in terrorism-affected regions like KP—is an obligation that cannot be ignored.
Tarar reiterated his criticism of the KP chief minister’s absence from a recent high-level NAP meeting, which was convened to discuss a coordinated national strategy to counter the rising threat of terrorism. He said that the meeting was crucial for developing a unified security framework, and the leadership of KP, being the most affected province, should have been present.
The minister added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended an open offer of cooperation to CM KP, encouraging him to work jointly with the federal government to eradicate militant violence. “Only sitting together at the table can produce real progress,” Tarar said. “Issuing political statements alone will not help.”
During the interview, the information minister also noted that Sohail Afridi—a senior KP official responsible for security coordination—should have participated in the NAP session. His presence, Tarar argued, would have contributed to formulating a practical and unified action plan against terrorism.
He further stated that the federal government continues to approach the issue of terrorism as a non-political national priority, urging KP’s leadership to adopt the same approach. “This is not about political point-scoring. The people of KP are paying the price of terrorism. Collaborative decision-making is essential,” he emphasized.
The federal government has repeatedly called on provincial administrations, particularly KP, to strengthen intelligence sharing, improve coordination with law enforcement agencies, and fully participate in federal-led security initiatives.
Tarar’s remarks come at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a surge in militant attacks, many of them concentrated in KP. Analysts say that political cohesion between federal and provincial authorities is crucial for a unified and effective counterterrorism strategy.
