Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM’s move to engage Afghanisan an attack on Federation: Defense Minister

Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s plan to send a delegation to Afghanistan to address security concerns, calling the proposal “poisonous.”

Speaking in parliament, Asif emphasized that provinces are not allowed to negotiate with foreign countries, as it undermines the federal government’s authority.

“The statement by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, is harmful. Provinces cannot engage in direct talks,” Asif stated.

Gandapur had announced his intention to send a delegation to Afghanistan, expressing frustration that no one was giving due attention to Afghanistan as a neighboring country.

Gandapur belongs to the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, and he has been a vocal critic of the federal government’s policies.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that attacks within Pakistan are planned from Afghanistan. However, the Taliban officials have denied these accusations, insisting that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security issues.

The tension between Pakistan’s federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial leadership highlights deep divisions in addressing the country’s security challenges.

While provincial leaders like Chief Minister Gandapur seek to take independent actions, such as engaging with Afghanistan, the federal government remains firm in maintaining centralized control over foreign relations.

This situation underscores the complexity of Pakistan’s internal political dynamics and its delicate relationship with Afghanistan.

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