Asif Says Centre and KP United Against Terror Threat

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the federal government and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa administration are now working from the same position in the fight against terrorism, marking an important political development amid renewed security pressure in the country.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif warned that Pakistan could be forced to take stronger action if Afghan territory continued to be used by militant groups targeting Pakistan. His remarks came as Islamabad continues to press Kabul for firm guarantees against cross-border terrorism.

The defence minister said earlier coordination problems with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had now been addressed. He described this alignment as necessary for a more effective national response, particularly because the province remains one of the most affected by militant violence.

Asif told lawmakers that Pakistan had repeatedly pursued diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan through regional partners, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. However, he said those efforts had not produced the written assurances Pakistan was seeking from Kabul.

According to the minister, Islamabad’s central demand remains clear: Afghan soil must not be used for attacks inside Pakistan, and militant groups operating from there must be denied shelter. He said verbal commitments were not enough while attacks continued to claim Pakistani lives.

The statement comes against the backdrop of increasing militant activity in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security forces have been conducting frequent intelligence-based operations. Pakistan has repeatedly accused hostile networks of exploiting sanctuaries across the border.

Asif also linked the current security challenge to wider regional tensions, alleging that Afghanistan had become vulnerable to Indian influence against Pakistan. He said Pakistan still preferred talks, but warned that continued inaction by Kabul could deepen confrontation.

The minister’s remarks are significant because they indicate an attempt to build political consensus around counterterrorism policy. Coordination between the Centre and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is seen as essential for intelligence-sharing, policing, border security and civilian protection.

For Pakistan, the next phase will depend on whether diplomatic channels produce written guarantees from Kabul and whether domestic coordination remains intact. The government is expected to continue combining political messaging, security operations and regional diplomacy as it seeks to contain the terrorism threat.