ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday defended the federal government’s decision to declare state of emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that the move was aimed at combating terrorism rather than pursuing political objectives.
He remarked that the federal government had been left with no alternative but to take the measures announced a day earlier, citing concerns over the PTI-led provincial government’s alleged disengagement from the fight against terrorism. Dar said the decision was taken to protect the lives of ordinary citizens and restore the writ of the state in the province.
Delivering the keynote address at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) International Conference on “Pakistan’s Evolving Counterterrorism Landscape: TTP, Cross-Border Threats and Regional Security,” the deputy prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He called on the Afghan authorities to take concrete, verifiable and irreversible action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist organisations, ensuring that Afghan territory was not used to launch attacks against Pakistan or any other country.
Dar also accused India of sponsoring terrorist groups operating against Pakistan, including from Afghan soil, warning that such activities posed a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Highlighting Pakistan’s counterterrorism initiatives, he referred to the implementation of the National Action Plan, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam and enhanced intelligence coordination, alongside diplomatic efforts to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation against terrorism.
He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership and paid tribute to the armed forces under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Addressing the same conference, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar claimed that more than 20,000 terrorists were present in Afghanistan, including over 6,000 TTP members, who were allegedly receiving training and operating from safe havens on Afghan soil.
Tarar said Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Afghan regime through various international forums to take decisive action against terrorist organisations operating from its territory.
He maintained that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was essential for Pakistan and the wider region, adding that Islamabad remained committed to eliminating extremism and terrorism.
Highlighting the country’s sacrifices, Tarar said Pakistan had suffered economic losses exceeding USD 100 billion in the fight against terrorism, while its security forces and citizens had paid an enormous human cost. He said Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts had contributed significantly to global security, stressing that the international community must recognise the country’s role and sacrifices.
Recalling Pakistan’s longstanding humanitarian support for Afghanistan, the minister said the country had hosted four million Afghan refugees for four decades, demonstrating hospitality and compassion despite considerable economic and security challenges.
Tarar also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement, saying Islamabad had played a mediating role between the United States and Iran and continued to contribute to regional peace and stability. He described the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as patriotic and emphasised that Pakistan remained determined to confront terrorism and extremism while pursuing regional peace through diplomatic engagement.
Both ministers underscored the need for stronger international cooperation against terrorism and urged the Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist groups from using their territory to threaten neighbouring countries.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026