A political dispute has emerged between the federal and provincial governments after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi criticised the bulletproof vehicles provided by the interior ministry. Following Afridi’s remarks, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the vehicles would instead be dispatched to Balochistan to aid counter-terrorism operations.
Naqvi made the announcement in response to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s public appeal, who requested that the vehicles be allocated to his province if KP declined to use them. The interior minister confirmed that the decision had been finalised and said the transfer would be made immediately to strengthen Balochistan’s security efforts.
KP CM Criticises Federal Policy and Equipment
Earlier this week, CM Afridi had accused the federal government of adopting what he called a “flawed policy” that contributed to the recent surge in terrorism across KP. He alleged that Islamabad was withholding funds earmarked for the province under the national counter-terrorism strategy, as well as other constitutional entitlements.
Afridi also criticised the bulletproof cars sent by the federal government, describing them as “defective and old,” and urged that they be recalled. His comments came amid growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in KP, where terror incidents have sharply increased over the past year.
Balochistan CM Steps In With an Offer
Reacting to Afridi’s remarks, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti highlighted that his province also faced persistent terrorist threats. He publicly appealed to Naqvi to transfer the vehicles to Balochistan, stating that they could be used more effectively there to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Within hours, Naqvi responded affirmatively, confirming that the bulletproof vehicles would be reassigned to Balochistan. He added that the move would bolster the province’s capability to respond to rising security challenges.
Political Tensions Deepen Over Counter-Terrorism Efforts
The controversy over the bulletproof vehicles quickly turned political as the Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, criticised KP’s leadership. He expressed disappointment that the sacrifices made by security forces were being overshadowed by political blame games.
Chaudhry accused the KP government of exploiting the terrorism issue for political leverage, claiming that Afridi’s decision to reject the vehicles was aimed at embarrassing the federal government. He said that instead of strengthening cooperation, the KP administration was “creating unnecessary drama” at a time when unity was crucial in the fight against militancy.
Rising Terrorism and the Urgency for Coordination
Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in late 2022. The Global Terrorism Index 2025 recently ranked Pakistan as the second most-affected country in the world.
Security analysts stress that intergovernmental coordination is essential to counter the growing threat effectively. The decision to redirect bulletproof vehicles to Balochistan reflects an urgent need to strengthen ground operations in the province, which continues to face frequent militant attacks.
Security Resources and Political Cooperation
The exchange between the federal and provincial governments underscores ongoing tensions over resource allocation and security responsibilities. While Naqvi’s swift response aims to ensure better utilisation of available assets, the controversy has reignited debate over Pakistan’s broader counter-terrorism approach.
Experts believe that political cooperation between the centre and provinces will be key to reversing the rising tide of militancy. As Balochistan prepares to receive the reallocated vehicles, attention now shifts to whether the move can enhance operational readiness and restore a sense of unity in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
