ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday acknowledged that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was now standing “firmly” with the Centre and armed forces in the fight against terrorism, saying all stakeholders were finally “on the same page” after years of strained coordination.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly of Pakistan during a heated session overshadowed by political clashes and allegations over the deteriorating security situation, the defence minister said the Centre and provinces had to jointly shoulder responsibility for combating militancy.
“We did not have the KP government’s cooperation for a very long time, but now we have it,” Mr Asif declared. “They are standing firmly with the Centre and the armed forces against terrorism. There is no doubt.”
The minister’s remarks came in response to an emotionally charged speech by Noor Alam Khan of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, who criticised both the federal and provincial governments for failing to curb the growing wave of terrorism in the province.
Mr Asif conceded that the issue demanded an urgent solution but stressed that the burden could not rest solely on Islamabad. “I agree that a solution is needed, but it is not only the Centre’s responsibility. All provinces must contribute their resources,” he said.
The defence minister also dismissed suggestions that Pakistan had failed to engage diplomatically with Afghanistan, revealing that multiple rounds of talks had already been held with the Afghan Taliban authorities through regional intermediaries.
“We have done so. I personally held three rounds,” he told lawmakers, recalling meetings in Kabul in 2023 as well as subsequent engagements in Turkiye and Qatar last year.
According to Mr Asif, despite mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye, no breakthrough could be achieved because Kabul refused to provide written assurances preventing militant groups from using Afghan territory against Pakistan.
“They are ready to verbally agree, but not in writing,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan had exhausted all diplomatic avenues, including talks lasting up to 19 hours.
Referring to the recent suicide attack on a police post in Bannu that claimed the lives of 15 security personnel, the minister said the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians alike were a “common loss” for the country.
He reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding accusation that militant attacks inside Pakistan were being facilitated from Afghan soil and alleged that Kabul was effectively acting as a proxy for India.
“Whether it is the eastern border or the western border, the enemy is the same,” Mr Asif said. “There is no difference between Delhi and Kabul at the moment.”In one of his strongest warnings yet, the defence minister cautioned that if Afghanistan continued to refuse action against militant sanctuaries, the situation could escalate into “open war”.
“If they are not ready, then we will do to Kabul what we have done to Delhi,” he declared.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban administration of sheltering militants linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan following the resurgence of terrorism after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Islamabad recently issued a strong demarche to Kabul over the May 10 attack in Bannu.
The parliamentary proceedings later descended into chaos after Noor Alam Khan criticised the treatment of displaced residents from KP and accused the provincial and federal governments of failing to protect citizens from terrorism.
Mr Asif, responding sharply, accused the JUI-F lawmaker of promoting ethnic divisions instead of national unity.
“Why do you always talk on ethnic lines?” he asked, insisting that the entire nation was rendering sacrifices in the war against terrorism.His remarks triggered a fierce reaction from PTI lawmakers, including Iqbal Afridi and Junaid Akbar, who accused the minister of diverting attention from the core security debate.
The confrontation soon escalated into shouting, verbal abuse and near-physical scuffles on the assembly floor. PTI lawmakers exchanged heated arguments among themselves, while some opposition members attempted to restrain enraged colleagues.
Amid the uproar, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah attempted to continue proceedings by giving the floor to Sharmila Faruqui of the Pakistan People’s Party, but the disorder intensified as members continued hurling abuses across the aisle.
The session was eventually adjourned after Sergeants-at-Arms were summoned to prevent further escalation, while senior lawmakers, including Maulana Abdul Haideri, intervened to calm tempers and escort agitated members away from the chamber.