ISLAMABAD (Special Correspondent) – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated on Sunday that the government made extensive, repeated efforts to resolve the escalating crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but negotiations and last-minute diplomatic outreach failed to produce a viable breakthrough. Addressing a press conference alongside Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Naqvi clarified the administration’s position regarding the potential imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Failed Diplomatic Engagements

Naqvi revealed that he personally reached out to the opposing side at 12:30 am, urgently requesting they prevent the situation from further destabilization, yet received no response. He noted that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had met with the Prime Minister a day earlier, followed by discussions with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership. Despite the Prime Minister’s personal intervention, these efforts proved unsuccessful.

Security Priorities and Counter-Terrorism

The Interior Minister emphasized that the government holds no objection to peaceful protests or sit-ins in Islamabad. Instead, he underscored that the primary concern remains the deteriorating security landscape and the necessity for provincial cooperation on counter-terrorism. Naqvi questioned the rationale of political leaders refusing security cooperation while the nation continues to mourn the loss of security personnel and civilians in targeted attacks. He stated that both the President and the Prime Minister remained proactive in negotiation, opting to initiate contact rather than waiting for formal approaches from the opposition.

Provincial Security Concerns

Highlighting the severity of the situation, Naqvi pointed out that 12 districts in the province are facing critical security threats, leaving residents unable to venture out after sunset. He cited the recent martyrdom of a senior officer, alongside targeted attacks against customs officials and police, as evidence of an increasingly volatile environment. Regarding his past interactions with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the Minister noted that discussions were centered strictly on counter-terrorism strategy rather than political maneuvering.

Strategic Planning for Law Enforcement

Naqvi detailed a proposed plan to strengthen the KP police force, beginning with five districts, with the objective of transitioning security responsibilities from the Army and Frontier Corps to local police within a six-month window. This model was intended to be replicated in five additional districts subsequently. Although the provincial government cited funding concerns, the federal government had committed to covering any shortfalls, emphasizing that national security is a collective duty. However, implementation of this arrangement has yet to commence. In closing, the minister reiterated that a unified national approach is essential, noting that the federation and its provinces cannot pursue conflicting foreign policies, particularly regarding security matters.