Tarar accuses KP government of promoting drug smuggling, terrorism

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is promoting drug smuggling and terrorists, alleging that narcotics trafficking is taking place under the patronage of the provincial government and that the proceeds are being used to finance terrorism.

Addressing a press conference, Tarar said that rumours have been spreading across the country over the past few days and that PTI’s links with anti-state elements are becoming increasingly evident. He alleged that due to negligence by the KP provincial government, terrorists find space to enter and operate in the province.

He said terrorists are provided shelter in local areas and that the number of terrorism-related cases has exceeded 4,000. He criticised the provincial prosecution system, saying it falls under the KP government but has completely failed. He added that the KP chief minister appears outside Adiala Jail to chant slogans but does not even understand how the prosecution system works.

Tarar said that over the past 12 years, the KP government has failed to develop an effective prosecution system to ensure convictions of terrorists, adding that not a single terrorist has been convicted in cases filed over the last three years.

He claimed that KP is the only province in the world where thousands of non-custom-paid vehicles are in use, and alleged that during the past 12 years no effective action has been taken against them. He questioned whether it was the responsibility of the army or the provincial government to take action against such vehicles.

The information minister further alleged that drug smuggling and trafficking are carried out under the KP government’s oversight, with drug money also being used to fund terrorism. He claimed drug trafficking is being promoted within the province and that there is collusion between authorities and drug dealers.

He said illegal mining and mountain cutting are still continuing in KP, and claimed that between January 2025 and August only 600 convictions were secured out of 10,000 drug trafficking cases. He contrasted this with ongoing reforms in the FBR under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while accusing the KP government of promoting drug smuggling and terrorism.

Tarar further alleged that the KP government is backing mafias that evade billions of rupees in taxes annually, saying the shortfall from non-custom-paid vehicles alone exceeds Rs1,000 billion per year, and that this money ultimately goes to terrorists while those in power fill their own pockets and provide shelter to militants.

He also said that the Pakistan Army gave a strong response to Afghan aggression, forcing them to abandon their posts, and claimed that only PTI was upset by Afghanistan’s defeat. He accused PTI leaders of acting as spokespersons for Afghanistan, stating that an Afghan suicide bomber was involved in the Islamabad Kacheri attack.

Tarar criticised PTI leaders, including Sohail Afridi, for not condemning the Islamabad G-11 Kacheri suicide attack. He alleged that a drama has been staged in recent days, and claimed that the party founder’s three sisters were present at the Corps Commander House on May 9 and led mobs there.

He claimed PTI cannot digest what he termed the “success of the battle for truth,” adding that the economy had collapsed during PTI’s tenure but is now stabilising. He alleged that the party founder’s sister, Noreen Khan Niazi, gave an interview to an Indian TV channel and questioned whether she had condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during that interview.

He accused PTI leaders of using Indian channels to malign Pakistan, saying Indian media is aware of PTI’s anti-Pakistan mindset. He said they fail to speak about Kashmir, national martyrs or recent victories and instead run propaganda for a convicted criminal, alleging that the party founder is enjoying “five-star hotel-like facilities” in jail—something he claimed has no global precedent.