Hina Rabbani Khar
Hina Rabbani Khar, the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has strongly criticized the idea of provincial governments engaging directly with foreign countries, labeling it as a breach of Pakistan’s Constitution.
In a recent statement, Khar emphasized that such actions challenge the constitutional framework of the country, asserting that international diplomacy and negotiations with foreign states fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Khar’s comments were made in response to the proposal by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to engage directly with Afghan authorities.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had suggested bypassing the federal government to hold talks with Afghanistan, aimed at addressing terrorism concerns and achieving lasting peace in the volatile border regions.
This proposal, Khar argued, undermines the central role of the federal government in managing foreign relations and could lead to constitutional complications.
In her appearance on the program ‘Jirga,’ Khar reiterated that provincial governments do not have the authority to negotiate with foreign states.
She pointed out that engaging in such dialogue falls strictly within the domain of the federal government, which is responsible for managing international relations and foreign policy.
Khar also addressed the ongoing concerns about the Taliban, stating that various approaches, including diplomatic and punitive measures, have been employed in dealing with them.
She urged those advocating for direct provincial diplomacy to understand the complexities of the situation and adhere to their constitutional responsibilities.
The debate over provincial versus federal authority in foreign relations has gained traction following Imran Khan’s recent support for Gandapur’s stance.
Speaking from Adiala Jail, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) endorsed the idea of dialogue as a necessary tool for combating terrorism.
Khan argued that without direct engagement, it would be difficult to resolve the issue of terrorism effectively.
The federal government has repeatedly called on the interim Afghan administration to prevent its territory from being used by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to launch attacks against Pakistan.
In response to the rising incidents of terrorism, the federal cabinet approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in June.
This initiative, part of the National Action Plan, aims to intensify counter-terrorism efforts and address the growing threat posed by militant groups.
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