Balochistan to get KP-rejected bulletproof vehicles for anti-terror fight

In response to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government's refusal to accept bulletproof vehicles procured by the federal government for law enforcement use, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced that the vehicles will now be sent to Balochistan for security purposes.

The decision was confirmed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who stated on the social media platform X that the bulletproof vehicles will be immediately dispatched to Balochistan.

His statement came in reply to a post by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who had earlier appealed to the federal government to reallocate the bulletproof vehicles to his province, citing the ongoing threat of terrorism.

In his message, the interior minister also thanked the Balochistan chief minister for highlighting the issue, expressing appreciation for bringing the matter to the federal government’s attention.

Mohsin Naqvi noted that the deployment of these vehicles would help strengthen the province’s counterterrorism capabilities.

Earlier, following KP's decision not to accept the vehicles, Chief Minister Bugti had made a formal request on X, urging the federal government to consider reallocating the bulletproof vehicles to Balochistan.

Bugti argued that Balochistan, like KP, continues to suffer from terrorist activities and urgently requires such protective resources.

Bugti emphasised that the safety of the public remains a top priority for his administration and stated that steps are underway to further enhance security arrangements across the province.

CM Sahib done. These bullet-proof vehicles will be sent to Balochistan immediately to enhance counter-terrorism efforts. Thank you for raising this https://t.co/M8Hzc4UoAB

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) October 22, 2025

It is pertinent to mention here that on October 18, 2025, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi handed over several bulletproof vehicles to KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed in a formal ceremony at the Ministry of Interior.

During the event, Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that providing necessary resources to law enforcement agencies across the country, including the KP Police, remains a federal priority.

However, shortly afterwards, the KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi returned the vehicles, a move that drew sharp criticism from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.

On October 20, Talal publicly condemned the KP Chief Minister’s decision, calling it “immature” and “dangerous” in the context of Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Talal Chaudhry stated that the federal government had allocated Rs 600 billion to the KP government for strengthening civil armed forces, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and forensic capabilities.

He asserted that the bulletproof vehicles met international safety standards and had already proven effective in protecting federal ministers and officers deployed in terrorism-affected regions.

“There have been no casualties where these vehicles were used,” he noted, suggesting that rejecting such vital equipment undermines the safety of frontline police personnel.

Talal Chaudhry accused the KP administration of politicising security, leaving police officers exposed to militant threats. “They lack both political support and essential tools, such as weapons, training, and protective gear,” he said.

He reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to supporting KP in its counterterrorism mission but warned that “childish politics and immature decisions” from provincial leadership were obstructing critical national security efforts.

Talal Chaudhry concluded by saying the bulletproof vehicles and related security equipment were a gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices made by KP’s police force, which has long served on the front lines of Pakistan’s war on terror.