Gandapur’s proposal

On Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office asserted its jurisdiction over foreign policy, firmly reminding Gandapur that engaging with sovereign states falls under the federal government’s exclusive domain. This response came in light of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s announcement to send a provincial delegation to Afghanistan for dialogue aimed at addressing ongoing issues, a move that the Foreign Office has deemed unauthorized. Gandapur’s initiative was reportedly spurred by his frustration with the deteriorating trust between his administration and the local police, alongside a broader sense of disillusionment among his constituents. His actions and remarks, which followed a contentious PTI rally on September 8, have been marked by increased hostility towards the federal government and the establishment. These tensions have been exacerbated by Gandapur’s derogatory comments about Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz and attacks on the media, particularly women journalists. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also jumped into the fray and reiterated that no province has the authority to hold talks with any foreign country, claiming that the KP CM has attacked the federation while putting the country’s security at stake. Meanwhile, reports have claimed that PTI founder chairman Imran Khan has endorsed Gandapur’s peace negotiations with Afghanistan.

The backdrop of this political skirmish is the pressing issue of terrorism, with KP enduring severe consequences from recent attacks. August alone saw 25 casualties from 29 terrorist incidents, underscoring the urgency of effective counterterrorism strategies. In this, there is no denying that the province Gandapur represents has been the biggest victim of terrorism in the past two decades. And ever since the fall of Kabul and the consequent resurgence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), KP’s security situation has been critical. Instead of a united front, however, the federal and provincial governments are entrenched in a bitter political feud that is overshadowing the critical issue of security. The provincial government’s calls for action, while grounded in genuine concerns about KP’s security situation, are being interpreted through the lens of political animosity. At the same time, the federal government’s restrained approach towards Afghanistan and the TTP’s safe havens, though firm in principle, seems to be creating friction with KP’s urgent demands. This friction has only been inflamed by the political fallout from Gandapur’s statements and the post-September 8 arrests of PTI leaders.

It is unfortunate that the urgent issue of terrorism and the significant loss of life have become collateral damage in this game of political whackamole. The focus on who holds authority and the ensuing political rhetoric detracts from the pressing need for a coordinated response to the security challenges facing KP. This is why genuine collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, free from political infighting, is crucial for addressing the severe threat posed by terrorism. What all this ends up doing is undermining the effectiveness of our counterterrorism efforts. As Gandapur and the federal government continue their war of words, the real challenge of safeguarding lives and ensuring security should not be lost amid this unnecessary political theatre. The people of KP deserve more than mere political posturing.