RAWALPINDI, October 9, 2026: Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry has criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its handling of the province’s security situation, saying political activities and the ongoing long march appear to have taken precedence over addressing rising terrorist threats and protecting law enforcement personnel.
Speaking to journalists at the Rawalpindi Press Club, Chaudhry said security forces and police personnel had made significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and stressed that their sacrifices must not be allowed to go in vain.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to face militant attacks in which police and other security personnel were being targeted, while the provincial leadership remained focused on political mobilisation.
“The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is before everyone,” he said, arguing that restoring law and order should be the provincial government’s foremost responsibility.
Danyal Chaudhry Raises Questions Over KP Security Response
Chaudhry referred to recent attacks in which customs and police personnel were killed and said the provincial government should demonstrate greater seriousness in responding to the security challenges confronting the province.
He said families of fallen personnel deserved solidarity and recognition from political leaders, adding that those who lost their lives while protecting the country should be honoured at the national level.
The parliamentary secretary questioned what effective counterterrorism measures had been taken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 15 years and what practical progress had been made under broader counterterrorism strategies.
He also referred to reports of police officials and other individuals being abducted and said repeated attacks on police required a clear and coordinated response.
Chaudhry questioned why, in his view, the provincial government had not taken a sufficiently clear position against militants identified by the government as Fitna al-Khawarij.
Calls for Better Equipment and Coordination for Police
The parliamentary secretary said cross-border militancy and attacks on Pakistani civilians and security personnel represented a serious national security challenge.
He called for stronger border security, improved coordination among law enforcement agencies and better resources for police personnel operating in areas affected by terrorism.
Police, he said, should be provided with modern weapons, protective equipment and other essential resources to enable them to respond effectively to militant threats.
Chaudhry also stressed the importance of implementing the National Action Plan, saying meetings and policy discussions would have little impact unless their decisions produced visible results on the ground.
He said counterterrorism efforts required implementation, accountability and coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
Security Should Rise Above Party Politics, Chaudhry Says
Chaudhry said all political parties should take the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seriously.
He argued that parties including the Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party also had a stake in restoring security because political activity itself becomes difficult in areas facing persistent terrorist threats.
“Terrorism is not the responsibility of one political party or one institution alone,” he said, stressing that it required a collective national response.
PTI Long March Could Hurt Pakistan’s Image, Says Chaudhry
Turning to the PTI-led long march, Chaudhry said Pakistan was currently hosting international cricket and expected further foreign delegations, making political stability particularly important.
He argued that prolonged protests and sit-ins could heighten political tensions, create law-and-order challenges and negatively affect Pakistan’s international image.
PTI supporters launched a march towards Islamabad this week demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan after negotiations with the federal government failed. The march is being led from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Chaudhry said Pakistan had paid a heavy price in its fight against terrorism and that political disputes should not be allowed to undermine economic activity, international engagement or efforts to maintain security.
He further alleged that people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were becoming frustrated with the provincial government over insecurity and governance problems, and called on other political parties to play a more active role in addressing the province’s challenges.
His remarks come amid renewed political tensions surrounding the PTI march and continuing security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Government representatives have repeatedly accused the PTI-led provincial administration of prioritising political agitation over counterterrorism measures, an allegation the party has contested in the wider political dispute.