PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over her recent remarks concerning terrorism, alleging that she had effectively given Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India a “clean chit” by blaming three provinces for the roots of terrorism.
Reacting strongly to the Punjab chief minister’s statement, Sohail Afridi said that describing three provinces as a basis for terrorism was damaging to Pakistan’s position in the international fight against terrorism.
He alleged that Maryam Nawaz’s remarks could weaken Pakistan’s narrative at the global level by shifting responsibility for terrorism towards the country’s own provinces rather than focusing on external threats and factors.
The KP chief minister also accused the Punjab government of adopting what he described as a prejudiced attitude towards other provinces. He said such statements reflected a mindset that could contribute to divisions within the country.
According to Afridi, political leaders should avoid making statements that could create mistrust among the federating units, particularly at a time when Pakistan is facing serious security challenges.
He maintained that terrorism was a national issue requiring collective efforts from the federal government and all provincial administrations. Instead of blaming particular provinces, he said, the authorities should work together to strengthen security and counterterrorism measures.
Afridi’s criticism came in response to remarks attributed to Maryam Nawaz regarding the origins and spread of terrorism in the country. His comments have added another dimension to the ongoing political debate between the provincial governments.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari responded to the KP chief minister’s criticism, rejecting his argument and defending the Punjab government’s approach to security and law enforcement.
Bukhari said that making statements against other political leaders could not conceal shortcomings in one’s own government’s performance.
She argued that political criticism should not be used as a means of diverting attention from governance and administrative challenges. According to her, the Punjab government was focused on strengthening the capacity of law-enforcement agencies across the province.
The Punjab information minister said work was underway to improve the capabilities and effectiveness of law-enforcement institutions in Punjab. She maintained that enhancing the ability of security agencies was essential for dealing with terrorism and maintaining law and order.
The exchange between the two provincial governments highlights the continuing political differences over security policy and the handling of terrorism in Pakistan.
While the KP chief minister has called for a unified national approach to the issue, the Punjab government has defended its own security measures and rejected criticism regarding its performance.
Terrorism remains a major national security challenge, with different parts of Pakistan having experienced attacks and security threats over the years. The issue has frequently become a subject of political debate, particularly when provincial governments differ over responsibility, security policies and counterterrorism strategies.
Afridi’s remarks indicate that the KP government considers statements linking terrorism to specific provinces to be politically and nationally damaging. He has urged a broader approach focused on national unity and collective action against terrorism.
On the other hand, Bukhari’s response suggests that the Punjab government remains focused on strengthening its law-enforcement infrastructure and improving the operational capabilities of security agencies.
The latest exchange comes amid heightened political tensions between different provincial and political administrations. The statements by both sides are likely to fuel further debate over the appropriate strategy for combating terrorism and addressing security challenges across Pakistan.
The controversy also underlines the sensitivity surrounding statements about terrorism, particularly when such remarks involve provincial identities or are interpreted as shifting blame among the country’s federating units.
Neither side appeared willing to back down in the verbal exchange. The KP chief minister maintained that remarks targeting provinces could undermine national cohesion and Pakistan’s international position, while the Punjab information minister stressed the need to focus on practical improvements in law enforcement rather than political criticism.
The debate is expected to continue as political leaders and provincial administrations discuss the causes of terrorism and the responsibilities of governments in preventing attacks and maintaining security.
For now, the disagreement between the KP and Punjab governments reflects broader political differences over security, governance and the role of provincial administrations in Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy.
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