2025 was the worst year for terrorism in the last decade. Compared to 2024, there was a 73 per cent rise in terrorism in KP and Balochistan. Out of the 73,700 killings last year, 1200 people were security personnel and civilians. Despite these numbers, there isn’t a clear counterterrorism strategy. It could be gauged from the DG ISPR’s press conference, indicating a divisive discourse as he blamed the KP government for the rise in terrorism. He went as far as to claim that the government in KP has connections with the Taliban government in Kabul. This has come up due to Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of KP, asking for evidence if Kabul’s soil is responsible for terrorist activities in Pakistan.
DG ISPR’s statement and the KP government’s stance on security policy are at loggerheads.
For instance, there is a dispute over employment of military operations or that of a political settlement.
A military operation has already begun in KP by the military establishment, even though the Peshawar-based government doesn’t favour it, stating that the military operation is not the only solution. According to them, the traditional Torkhum border closure has led to citizens of KP suffering, and the military operation will further worsen the situation. However, after the initial war of words, the security forces started their operation from tribal Tira, where people residing have been displaced and evacuated for security reasons.
How successful this will turn out is difficult to predict.
The International Crisis Group stated that Pakistan is becoming one of the worst hit areas by terrorism. In recent history, Pakistan and Afghanistan haven’t reached such a low, reflecting the suspicion of the Pakistan military establishment over the Kabul government’s sincere commitment to weed out terrorism on Pakistan’s soil.
The root cause of the conflict in counterterrorism approach between the federal and provincial governments is that the centre and the military establishment consider Imran Khan’s stance the reason behind the deteriorating situation. It is believed that this tussle may deepen the security situation.
It would be safe to say, though, that one can oppose the KP government representing Khan’s narrative, but the fact of the matter is that the latter’s popularity is a reality in the province. Hence, it is critical to consult the people of KP and those representing it, for a fair and effective outcome. Hear, hear, thou mighty
