By Junaid Qaiser
Pakistan cannot afford a political environment in which the fight against terrorism becomes hostage to rivalry between the federal government and a provincial administration. When police officers are being killed, civilians remain exposed to militant violence and the country is working to consolidate its economic recovery, political leadership must recognise that national security is a shared responsibility. Differences over power and policy are inevitable in a democracy, but they must never come at the expense of public safety.
The breakdown of negotiations between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), followed by the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has brought this challenge into sharp focus. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the Senate on Tuesday that the federal government had acted in accordance with the Constitution and was not responsible for the failure of the talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, has maintained that the Centre made every effort to avoid what he described as an extreme step.
The government’s position is that persistent security concerns and the lack of meaningful cooperation from the PTI-led provincial administration left it with few options. Whether the decision ultimately delivers the desired results will depend on its implementation, its constitutional legitimacy and the extent to which it improves the lives of people in the province.
The immediate priority, however, must remain clear: Pakistan needs a coherent and sustained strategy against terrorism, supported by every institution and political force capable of contributing to it.
Speaking in the Senate, Naqvi said negotiations at Parliament House had initially focused on terrorism. According to the interior minister, the government sought the participation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister so that commitments concerning security could be made with the provincial administration directly involved. He also said the government had accepted six proposed changes, although a disagreement remained over one paragraph.
Naqvi’s account suggests that the negotiations involved more than the usual political disputes. They concerned the practical responsibilities of governments in confronting a threat that has claimed the lives of security personnel and civilians. He maintained that the federal government had invited the opposition to the negotiating table because it wanted peace and continued dialogue.
The failure to reach an agreement is therefore a setback that both sides must take seriously. The government has placed responsibility for the breakdown on the PTI, while the opposition should have an opportunity to explain its position and respond to the allegations made against it. A credible assessment requires transparency rather than competing political narratives.
Naqvi also alleged that the government possessed evidence of contacts and financial transactions between terrorists and some PTI members. Such allegations are serious and must be investigated through lawful procedures. Any evidence should be presented to the relevant authorities, and responsibility must be established on the basis of proof. Counterterrorism efforts are strengthened by credible investigations, not by accusations alone.
Nevertheless, the wider principle remains: no political disagreement should prevent cooperation against militant organisations. Intelligence-sharing, the disruption of terrorist financing, effective policing and coordination between security agencies require continuity and trust. These are not partisan objectives; they are essential functions of the state.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has told coalition partners that the Centre exhausted efforts to avoid imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He cited rising terrorist attacks, the sacrifices of law-enforcement personnel and concerns that the provincial government had failed to take an unequivocal public position against militant groups.
The PM also pointed to more than Rs800 billion provided to the province under National Finance Commission arrangements. According to his account, the provincial government had not done enough to strengthen its Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) or establish Safe City projects to improve surveillance and security capabilities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has endured years of militancy and has made enormous sacrifices in Pakistan’s struggle against terrorism. Its people deserve a government that treats their security as an urgent priority. Police officers and other personnel confronting armed militants need proper equipment, operational support and institutional backing. Their sacrifices should lead to stronger policies rather than become another subject of political argument.
The federal government is justified in demanding meaningful cooperation from the provincial administration. At the same time, its own policies must be judged by results. A successful counterterrorism strategy requires coordination across institutions, clear lines of responsibility and sustained investment in the communities most affected by violence.
The imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency measures in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa represents a significant intervention in the province’s administration. The Centre has defended the decision as necessary in the face of deteriorating security and the failure of negotiations. The government’s political allies have expressed support, but the decision also raises important questions about constitutional authority, democratic representation and accountability.
The newly appointed KP Advisory Council will consequently face a demanding test. It must demonstrate that the new arrangement can improve coordination, strengthen public services and accelerate development in vulnerable districts. Progress should be measured through tangible indicators: better-equipped police and CTD units, improved intelligence coordination, safer communities and more reliable access to education, healthcare and infrastructure.
The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa want to live without fear, send their children to school safely, run businesses and travel freely. Their expectations are neither partisan nor unreasonable. They are fundamental obligations of the state.
When national security comes before politics, cooperation becomes a responsibility rather than a concession. Pakistan’s leadership must now prove that principle through lasting peace, constitutional governance and tangible progress for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
