KP Government Promoting Drug Trafficking and Terrorism, Claims Atta Tarar
Lahore — Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government of facilitating drug trafficking and supporting terrorists. Speaking at a press conference, he alleged that drug smuggling is taking place under the supervision of the KP government, with its proceeds being used to finance terrorism.
Tarar said that a series of false narratives has been spread in recent days, claiming that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) links with anti-state elements are becoming increasingly visible. He said terrorists enter the country due to the negligence of the KP government and find shelter in local areas.
He added that terrorism cases have exceeded 4,000, and since prosecution falls under the provincial government’s domain, its failure has contributed to the worsening situation. Tarar criticized the KP chief minister, saying he can chant slogans outside Adiala Jail but cannot even spell “prosecution.” He said the province’s prosecution system has “completely failed.”
According to the minister, the KP government has failed to secure convictions for terrorists over the last 12 years, and in the past 3 years, not a single terrorist case resulted in punishment. He also claimed that KP is the only region in the world where thousands of non-custom paid vehicles operate freely, and the provincial government has not taken action against them for over a decade.
Tarar alleged that drug trafficking occurs under the KP government’s protection and that drug money supports terrorism. He accused provincial authorities of collusion with drug networks and said illegal mountain excavation is still ongoing in KP. He shared that between January 2025 and August, there were 10,000 drug trafficking cases, but only 600 resulted in convictions.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is pursuing reforms in the FBR, while the KP government is allegedly promoting smuggling, drug networks, and militant groups. The minister claimed that the mafia being supported by KP causes an annual tax loss of hundreds of billions of rupees, money he says eventually reaches terrorists.
Tarar also praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their response to Afghan aggression, saying Afghan forces “fled their posts,” while only PTI expressed disappointment over Afghanistan’s defeat. He accused PTI leaders of acting as spokespersons for the Afghan government, noting that the Islamabad district court attack involved an Afghan suicide bomber.
He further claimed that the sisters of PTI’s founder were present at the Corps Commander House on May 9 and helped lead mobs there. Tarar said PTI cannot accept the success of Operation Ma’araka-e-Haq, and accused the party of damaging Pakistan’s image by appearing on Indian media channels.
He questioned PTI leader Noreen Khan Niazi’s interview with an Indian channel, asking whether she condemned Narendra Modi during it. Tarar said Indian media recognizes PTI’s “anti-Pakistan mindset,” adding that PTI never speaks about Kashmir, national victories, or martyrs on such platforms.
He concluded by saying that PTI’s founder is enjoying “five-star facilities” in jail, something unheard of anywhere else in the world.
