Pakistan’s Federal Government Redirects Bulletproof Vehicles from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Balochistan Amid Political Row

ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has decided to reallocate bulletproof vehicles—originally provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)—to Balochistan, following a series of complaints by KP Chief Minister Sohael Afridi regarding the condition of the vehicles and the federal government’s counterterrorism policies.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that the vehicles will now be sent to Balochistan “to strengthen ongoing counterterrorism operations,” thanking Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for highlighting the issue.

Earlier this week, CM Sohael Afridi had accused the federal government of neglecting KP’s security needs, claiming Islamabad had failed to release anti-terror funds or fulfill its constitutional obligations. He further alleged that the bulletproof vehicles provided by the Interior Ministry were old and faulty, directing his administration to return them.

Responding on social media, CM Sarfraz Bugti of Balochistan stated that his province too faces a severe threat from terrorism and requested that the vehicles be reassigned to his government for operational use.

In his reply, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the vehicles would be immediately dispatched to Balochistan, emphasizing that the move aims to support “ongoing efforts against terrorism.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry criticized KP’s leadership, accusing the provincial government of politicizing national security. He said it was “unfortunate that the sacrifices of soldiers and the fight against terrorism are being used for political point-scoring,” and sarcastically added that if CM Afridi did not like the vehicles, he could “use his own instead.”

The dispute underscores growing political tensions between the federal and KP governments, as Pakistan continues to grapple with a resurgence of militant attacks in its northwestern and southwestern regions.