Talal Chaudhry criticises KP chief minister over ‘ambiguity’ on terrorism

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Monday strongly criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, accusing him of making statements that have harmed national interests and created ambiguity in Pakistan’s stance against terrorism, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to the media outside Parliament House, Chaudhry said the KP chief minister’s recent remarks, made in what he described as a “street moment,” had negatively affected the national narrative on terrorism.

He said he was not responding to political speeches but to what he termed a serious issue related to national security.

The minister alleged that they (PTI) had been creating ambiguity on terrorism for the past thirteen years and deliberately avoided calling terrorists by their name.

“He refuses to call terrorists, terrorists,” Chaudhry said, adding that both of Pakistan’s neighbouring countries were supporting terrorism.

He questioned KP CM whether he did not know the source of militancy.

He claimed that law enforcement data showed that around 70 per cent of militant formations involved Afghan nationals, and said this information could be verified from the KP inspector general of police.

“If these elements are coming from Afghanistan, then what is the need to create ambiguity?” he asked.

He also questioned the KP government’s opposition to counterterrorism operations, asking whether what he termed a “soft attitude” reflected a soft corner for militants.

Chaudhry alleged that for nearly eleven years, no major PTI leader was targeted in terrorist attacks, while leaders of other political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were attacked.

He claimed that parties such as the Awami National Party (ANP) were targeted because they openly spoke against terrorism.

Referring to past statements, he said a tweet by the PTI founder accusing the ANP of being attacked for opposing terrorism was still available.

He further alleged that the KP information minister avoided speaking clearly against terrorism and that PTI leaders had consistently gone against the national narrative on the issue.

The minister also claimed that a former KP chief minister had warned senior officials that if action was taken, a particular political party would become another target, adding that thousands of people had been martyred over the years.

Chaudhry said 2025 had seen the highest number of terrorist incidents in Pakistan’s history, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being the most affected province.

He criticised the KP government for failing to establish key security infrastructure, including a Safe City project and a forensic laboratory, alleging that such projects were deliberately delayed.

He said the federal government remained committed to countering terrorism and safeguarding national security, stressing that there should be no confusion or compromise in the fight against militancy.