Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Monday criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister’s decision to return bulletproof vehicles provided by the federal government, calling it “immature” and “dangerous” amid ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
In a statement, Talal Chaudhry said the federal government has provided Rs 600 billion to the KP government to strengthen Civil Armed Forces, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and forensic labs. “To date, there has been no clear explanation of where this massive amount was spent,” he remarked.
The minister said the federal government supplied bulletproof vehicles “as per international standards” to enhance the security of law enforcement personnel.
“These vehicles are being used safely by federal ministers and senior officers in terrorism-affected areas, with no loss of life where they were deployed,” he added.
He accused the provincial government of jeopardizing the safety of police personnel. “Brave officers and soldiers of KP are being left vulnerable to armed terrorists. Neither do they have adequate political support nor proper weapons and training,” he said.
Talal Chaudhry stressed that the vehicles, bulletproof jackets, binoculars, and weapons were all part of the federal government’s initiative to strengthen the fight against terrorism.
“The federal government remains fully committed to supporting KP in its counterterrorism operations,” he stated, “but the provincial government’s childish politics and immature decision-making are obstructing national security efforts.”
The minister added that the Interior Ministry provided the vehicles as a token of recognition for the sacrifices made by KP’s police, who are “on the front line of Pakistan’s war against terrorism.”