Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee in Peshawar to review the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and discuss measures to combat terrorism.
The prime minister arrived in Peshawar earlier in the day, marking his first visit to the province since the imposition of governor’s rule and the declaration of an emergency on October 11.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, federal ministers and newly appointed provincial advisers attended the meeting.
Addressing the participants, PM Shehbaz said the decision to impose an emergency and governor’s rule had been taken under extreme compulsion. He expressed hope that collective efforts would help steer the province towards development and prosperity.
Describing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a strategically important part of the country, the prime minister said the province had suffered considerably due to years of instability and violence.
He highlighted the security challenges faced by the province over the past six years and acknowledged the sacrifices made by security personnel and law enforcement agencies in restoring peace.
The premier said thousands of people had lost their lives and the country’s economy had suffered losses worth hundreds of billions of dollars during the prolonged fight against terrorism. He maintained that peace had been restored in 2018 following significant sacrifices.
PM Shehbaz criticised the decision to bring militants back into the country after peace had been established, saying the move had undermined the sacrifices made by security forces and the public.
He called for a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances that led to the deterioration of the security situation, describing the failure to respect national sacrifices as a serious matter of concern.
The prime minister also stressed that counterterrorism efforts must remain a priority, alongside education, healthcare, and the protection of citizens’ lives and property.
The federal government imposed an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, citing what it described as the provincial government’s lack of effective engagement in counterterrorism efforts. The decisions were subsequently endorsed by a joint sitting of Parliament amid opposition protests.
Following the imposition of governor’s rule, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi assumed responsibility for administering the province and pledged to implement federal policies while working with security forces to restore peace.
Kundi has emphasised the need for stronger coordination between the federal and provincial authorities, maintaining that counterterrorism policies should be formulated in Islamabad.
The move came amid escalating political tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration. Disagreements over counterterrorism strategy, political negotiations and the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan had contributed to strained relations between the two sides.
The PTI has argued that it was being excluded from security-related decisions concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the federal government has rejected the allegation. Federal ministers have also criticised the provincial administration’s approach to tackling militancy and its position on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.
Amid the worsening security situation, the federal government also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel and assets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to assist the civil administration.
