Naqvi Says Federal Efforts With K-P on Terrorism Were Exhausted

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told a joint session of Parliament that the federal government had exhausted efforts to secure cooperation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration on counterterrorism before emergency measures and governor’s rule were imposed. He said the decision was taken reluctantly after months of unsuccessful engagement.

Naqvi rejected opposition allegations that terrorism had been used for political purposes. He said federal authorities had repeatedly tried to develop a shared approach with the provincial administration and had sought to ensure that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led operations with support from the army, Frontier Corps and other security bodies.

The minister referred to a February apex committee meeting in Peshawar and said efforts had been made to agree on a joint counterterrorism plan. He said a proposed arrangement would have strengthened police in five districts while civil armed forces gradually withdrew over six months, with federal support during the transition.

Naqvi said the government had continued dialogue with opposition representatives and remained available during negotiations. He maintained that most provisions of a proposed agreement reflected opposition demands, while one additional condition concerned the withdrawal of the party’s long march.

He also addressed concerns about PTI founder Imran Khan’s health and access to medical care. Naqvi said medical examinations had been arranged when concerns were raised and maintained that meetings with the party founder had taken place in recent weeks and would continue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar separately defended the constitutional basis for federal action in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He cited provisions concerning internal disturbances, federal directions to provinces and the process for parliamentary approval of emergency measures and governor’s rule.

Dar also questioned decisions linked to the return of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and said the National Action Plan had been revised during PTI’s time in government. The remarks underscore the widening political dispute over security policy, provincial authority and the federal intervention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The government and opposition remain sharply divided over the justification for the emergency measures. The immediate focus is likely to remain on the legal challenge, parliamentary debate and whether political dialogue can resume alongside efforts to address terrorism in the province.