Enough is enough: KP cannot be left to ‘Taliban allies’, says defence minister

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for urgent action to address security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), warning the province cannot continue to be left to "incompetent, insensitive rulers and Taliban allies". In a post on social media, Asif accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government of showing "complete detachment" from terrorism and criticised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his cabinet for prioritising a political long march over the security situation.

Asif alleged a "complete collusion" between the provincial government and terrorists, citing the October 6 attack in Dera Ismail Khan which left five people, including two customs officials, dead. The defence minister also blasted the chief minister for avoiding condolences to the victims' families and for scheduling a late-night meeting to reprimand police officials for attending a security meeting convened by the governor.

Asif warned that the country's unity could not be jeopardised and an entire province should not be held hostage, drawing a comparison to the PTI government's past imprisonment but continued parliamentary engagement. He accused the PTI of holding the nation and institutions "hostage" and alleged an alliance with the Taliban. Asif concluded by stating "Enough is enough."