Govt Committed to Eliminate Terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: PM Sharif

October 13, 2026 at 10:36 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the federal government is committed to eliminating terrorism and restoring peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure Pakistan’s continued progress, prosperity and stability.

Addressing a meeting of the PML-N Parliamentary Party in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said that the government was compelled to impose emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as further delay could have resulted in widespread destruction due to increasing terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Sharif said that terrorism had been eliminated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by 2017-18 after immense sacrifices, but it resurfaced after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government came into power and terrorists were allowed to return.

The Prime Minister said that the people of the province, including children, women, youth, elderly people and political leaders, rendered great sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf did not stand with the families of martyrs and failed to speak against terrorists.

PM Sharif said that the Federal Government made every possible effort over the past two and a half years to address the situation in the province.

PM Sharif added that assurances of cooperation had also been extended to former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and that meetings had been held with dysfunctional Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

He said that a particular political party created instability through sit-ins and long marches instead of supporting the federation, security forces and efforts to counter terrorism.

He said that the provincial government had tried to obstruct the country’s development and promoted sit-ins and abusive language instead of strengthening the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Referring to the recent talks with the PTI, the prime minister said negotiations had nearly reached an agreement, but the process was derailed.

The Prime Minister said that development projects, including schools, universities, hospitals, provision of medicines and measures to improve law and order and reduce corruption, were being neglected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that the government could not remain a silent spectator, while the country’s progress was being put at risk.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that collective efforts will bring peace, prosperity and development to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, speaking in the Senate, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said terrorism incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa doubled during Sohail Afridi’s tenure, as he defended the decision to impose emergency in the province.

Dar said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had continued to receive 1% under the NFC Award for the fight against terrorism, with Rs800 billion going to the province for the purpose.

“They put all that money into the budget. Ask them,” he said, adding that the provincial government had failed to establish the required counterterrorism infrastructure, including a forensic laboratory and CTD.

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