Civil-military moot ‘more of a presentation’: Gandapur

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur downplayed the in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Wednesday, calling it more of a presentation than a serious huddle.

In an interview with a local TV channel, the KP chief minister said that if terrorism could be eliminated merely by issuing a communiqué or giving a presentation, it would have been over by now.

He admitted that “Good Taliban still exist in the province and they are indulging in extortion and setting up checkpoints”.

He said these groups received protection, and that those who turned from “Good Taliban” to “Bad Taliban” were responsible for the Bannu attack. Gandapur said that Pakistan’s past policy of engaging in the Afghan war was a mistake, stressing the need for dialogue with Afghanistan. He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shared a 2,200-kilometer-long border with Afghanistan, which cannot be effectively secured due to breaches in the fencing. “Maintaining the border is no joke. The fence has been cut and removed at various points,” he remarked.

The CM said his government had sent Terms of Reference (TORs) for negotiations with Afghanistan to the federal government two months ago. He said that he had formed a jirga for discussions.

Referring to the recent assassination of JUIS chief Maulana Hamidul Haq, he said that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had been formed to probe the attack, adding a foreign organization might be behind the attack.

Criticizing the federal government, Gandapur claimed it was more focused on suppressing the PTI rather than addressing security concerns. However, he noted that the establishment was on board with KP’s initiative to send a jirga for talks with Afghanistan.

Gandapur announced plans to establish a grand Jirga comprising representatives from all ethnic groups to facilitate dialogue. “Wars cannot be won without the support of the people. The public has lost trust in the government and institutions,” he said.

The chief minister admitted that while the distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban had been removed, ‘Good Taliban’ still operated in KP. He revealed that their hideouts had been dismantled with the approval of the Apex Committee.

“The Apex Committee decided that we won’t let them go. ‘Good Taliban’ are those who surrendered once, and if someone surrenders once, they will always surrender,” he added. However, he acknowledged that these groups continue to engage in extortion and setting up roadblocks.

Commenting on militant leaders Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Noor Wali Mehsud, Gandapur stated that their locations were no longer within KP’s territory. “They were once ‘Good Taliban’ but they have now turned ‘Bad Taliban.’ Those who transitioned from ‘good’ to ‘bad’ claimed responsibility for the Bannu Cantt attack. This requires reconsideration,” he said.

Gandapur also opposed any possible military operation in the terrorism-hit province, stating that it would bring more harm than good. “We will not allow any operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Such operations cause more destruction than benefits,” the chief minister said, adding a more strategic and detailed approach was needed rather than passing mere resolutions.