KARACHI, 24 October 2025 — The Sindh government on Thursday formally requested the federal government to allocate it the armoured vehicles recently rejected by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), becoming the second province after Balochistan to make such a request.
Earlier this week, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi criticised what he described as a “flawed policy” of the federal government, accusing it of withholding funds earmarked for counterterrorism and other constitutional entitlements. He also claimed that the bulletproof vehicles provided to the province by the interior ministry were “defective and old,” urging that they be recalled.
Sindh govt says request made in view of critical security environment in province, particularly with regards to the protection of Chinese nationals as well as the security of foreigners, very very important persons and dignitaries visiting the province.https://t.co/IEgnAgKEWv
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) October 23, 2025
Following Afridi’s remarks, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti appealed to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to transfer the vehicles to his province instead, citing its own ongoing battle against militancy. The federal government subsequently approved the transfer of the vehicles to Balochistan.
On Thursday, the Sindh Home Department made a similar appeal, citing pressing security needs. In a letter addressed to the interior ministry, Sindh Additional Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Memon highlighted the “critical security environment” in the province, particularly concerning the protection of Chinese nationals, other foreign citizens, and visiting dignitaries.
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Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant violence, particularly in KP and Balochistan, following the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s decision to end its ceasefire with the government in late 2022. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan ranks second among countries most affected by terrorism.
The interior ministry has yet to announce whether Sindh’s request for the vehicles will be approved.
