PESHAWAR: Advisor to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Saif on Friday said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was at the forefront of the fight against terrorism which was a national challenge requiring collective action.
About the rising incidents of terrorism in the province, Barrister Saif urged the federal government to take decisive steps, rather than remaining a passive observer. He called on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to adopt a comprehensive strategy at both domestic and international levels to counter the growing threat.
He particularly underscored the need for diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan, asserting that dialogue was essential to controlling terrorism. However, he expressed concern that while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was directly affected, the federal government had neither initiated talks with Afghanistan nor allowed the provincial government to do so.
“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and our security forces are making daily sacrifices in this battle. It is imperative for the federal authorities to collaborate with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and prevent the spread of terrorism across the country,” he added.
Barrister Saif also revealed that the Terms of Reference (TORs) for talks with Afghanistan had been ‘shelved’ by the federal government, further complicating efforts to address the security crisis. He urged Islamabad to take swift and concrete measures to ensure peace and stability, warning that negligence in this matter could have serious national repercussions.