Pakistan ministers rule out talks with former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government

Federal ministers in Pakistan have declared that there will be no negotiations with the former provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of emergency measures and governor rule in the region.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the emergency was implemented in accordance with the constitution to combat rising terrorism. He accused the previous provincial leadership of protecting terrorist interests and claimed that former Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is currently in police custody but has not been formally arrested or charged with new crimes. Tarar noted that an Area Reforms and Development Council has been established to manage the province.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, emphasized that the primary goal of the emergency is to eliminate terrorism in 12 affected districts through intelligence-based operations. He addressed concerns regarding mineral resources, stating that licenses would undergo transparent investigations and that provincial minerals belong to the public. Meanwhile, PML-N leader Amir Maqam addressed a rally in Swat, claiming that the public has rejected the previous PTI administration, which he alleged had surrendered the province to terrorists.