Islamabad, April 28, 2025: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has made it clear that provincial leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), including the Chief Minister and Governor, have no authority to independently negotiate with Afghanistan.
Speaking in an interview with a private news channel, Asif emphasized that matters of defense and foreign relations are constitutionally the sole domain of the federal government. “Negotiations with Afghanistan fall strictly under federal jurisdiction,” he stated, adding that no provincial officeholder would be permitted to engage in independent diplomatic activities on behalf of Pakistan.
The Defence Minister firmly warned that any attempt by provincial authorities to initiate separate talks with Afghanistan would be blocked. “No individual or group can impose personal views on the federation,” he said.
Asif noted that while provincial leaders are free to present their perspectives, they must do so through appropriate forums such as official meetings or discussions within the framework of federal institutions.
His comments come amid growing concerns about provincial involvement in foreign affairs, particularly in KPK, where some political figures have expressed a desire to engage directly with Afghan counterparts. The federal government, however, continues to assert its exclusive control over Pakistan’s foreign policy.
