PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an Apex Committee meeting at the Governor House in Peshawar, where federal and provincial leaders reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across Pakistan.
According to sources, the meeting continued for approximately three hours and reviewed the law and order situation, ongoing counterterrorism operations, and security arrangements in the province.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Mohsin Naqvi attended the meeting.
Sources said participants expressed concern over what they described as inadequate measures taken by the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Federal and provincial leadership reiterated their determination to rid Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, of terrorism.
The Inspector General of Police and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the meeting on security arrangements, operational requirements, and facilities available to law enforcement agencies.
PM Vows to Continue Fight Against Terrorism
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government would not rest until the last terrorist was eliminated. He paid tribute to the sacrifices of personnel of the armed forces, police, and security institutions, as well as civilians who had lost their lives in the fight against terrorism.
The prime minister assured the provincial administration that the federal government would provide the necessary support to strengthen counterterrorism efforts. He said the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) would be provided with the facilities and resources they required.
Describing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a province of brave and resilient people, Shehbaz Sharif also expressed hope that peace and development would be restored. He said the government had been compelled to take exceptional measures in the province, including the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule, as stated in his remarks.
The prime minister also expressed grief over the deaths of a female teacher and children in a reported school roof-collapse incident in Peshawar. He said he had directed the governor to visit the affected site and ensure a thorough investigation into the tragedy.
PM Links Resurgence of Terrorism to Past Policies
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had made significant progress against terrorism by 2018, following extensive sacrifices by security forces and civilians. He recalled that the country had suffered approximately 80,000 deaths and billions of dollars in economic losses during the prolonged fight against terrorism.
The prime minister alleged that the PTI government had allowed militants to return to the country, undermining earlier counterterrorism gains. He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had subsequently borne the consequences of the resurgence of violence.
He further accused the previous provincial government of neglecting education, healthcare, public welfare, policing, and counterterrorism capacity. According to the prime minister, around 5,000 police vacancies were not filled during the previous provincial government’s tenure, while the Safe City project remained incomplete.
He also criticised the alleged lack of investment in police training and the Counter Terrorism Department, arguing that these shortcomings had weakened the province’s ability to respond effectively to militant threats.
These allegations were part of the prime minister’s remarks at the meeting.
Rs800 Billion Allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Counterterrorism
The prime minister referred to the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, under which the provinces agreed to provide additional resources to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because of its frontline role in the fight against terrorism.
He said the provinces had agreed to allocate an additional one per cent from their respective shares, alongside the federal government’s contribution, to support the province’s counterterrorism requirements.
According to Shehbaz Sharif, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had received approximately Rs800 billion under the NFC framework for counterterrorism since 2010.
He expressed concern that terrorism had resurged despite these allocations, alleging that security forces in the province had not received adequate training, modern weapons, and other essential equipment.
The prime minister reiterated that the federal government would continue supporting law enforcement agencies and security institutions in their efforts to restore lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and eliminate terrorism throughout the country.