Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Amir Haider Hoti urges political dialogue and a unified approach to terrorism amid tensions between the federal and provincial governments.
Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Amir Haider Hoti has said political stability cannot be achieved amid the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s protest politics and growing political tensions.
Speaking in an interview with Azad Digital, Hoti said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not afford violent protests and stressed that political issues should be resolved through negotiations and mutual understanding rather than street agitation.
He said Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urgently needed stability under the prevailing circumstances. Without political stability, he argued, efforts for economic recovery and the fight against terrorism would remain difficult, while lasting peace for the public would also be harder to achieve.
Questions Over PTI Protest Strategy
Hoti strongly criticized PTI’s current protest schedule and questioned the strategy of announcing long marches on different dates and holding rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He referred to announcements involving dates such as Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, as well as rallies from Lakki Marwat through Karak, Kohat and Peshawar to Swabi, and questioned whether blocking roads in the province could lead to the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
He also questioned the apparent lack of a similar protest campaign in Punjab while people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were being brought onto the streets, creating difficulties for residents.
However, Hoti welcomed recent talks between the government and opposition, saying negotiations were the appropriate way forward and expressing hope that they would lead to improvement.
Security Concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained on the front line of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism for decades. The province has faced renewed security concerns in recent months, with attacks targeting security forces and civilians reported in several districts.
Against this backdrop, questions have continued to be raised over the provincial administration’s ability to address the deteriorating security situation.
Hoti said political confrontation between the federal and provincial governments and ongoing protest campaigns had diverted attention from serious security challenges facing the province.
Hoti Criticizes Provincial Government’s Response to Terrorism
Commenting on the provincial government’s performance, Hoti alleged that the PTI-led provincial leadership was not fulfilling its responsibilities in confronting terrorism.
He said the provincial government was acting as a “silent spectator” rather than directly addressing militants and that its response had largely remained limited to verbal condemnation.
Hoti called for a comprehensive national policy against terrorism, saying the state, federal government and provinces should work together to address the threat.
He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were ultimately bearing the consequences of what he described as provincial government inaction.
The ANP leader’s remarks come amid continuing political tensions between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments. He emphasized that political leaders should turn to Parliament and the negotiating table rather than rely on street protests to resolve political disputes.
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