KP apex committee deems ‘consultation’ with Centre, political parties vital for successful counter-terrorism policy

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa apex committee has termed “consultation, cooperation and coordination” with the federal government and all political parties “essential” for the success of a counter-terrorism policy, it emerged on Thursday.

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi chaired his first meeting of the provincial apex committee since assuming office on Wednesday.

The panel discussed the “general rise in terrorism incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an action plan to eradicate the menace of Fitna-al-Khawarij and establish complete peace and stability”, as per a press release issued by the KP CM’s office today.

Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

During the meeting, the press release said, the committee decided that “joint consultation, mutual cooperation, and practical coordination between all political parties, public representatives, and the federal government is essential for the success of a comprehensive counter-terrorism policy”.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, the Peshawar corps commander, the chief secretary and the KP inspector general. Senior civil, military and law enforcement officials were also present.

The apex committee “firmly resolved that the KP government will utilise all its resources, including the armed forces, police, CTD (Counter-Terrorism Department) and other institutions, to combat terrorism and will not hesitate to make any sacrifices”.

The committee hoped that the “long-term strategy would identify all the causes of terrorism and eliminate them, and as a result, ensure the restoration of public confidence so that the government and the public” can work together for the country’s progress.

“The KP government’s agenda is that only good governance and public interest can unite the nation against terrorism,” read the meeting’s press release.

Under this agenda, it was decided that in the “first phase, areas affected by terrorism will be converted into model good governance districts”.

It further said “all government resources will be utilised to compensate for the lack in the provision of development, social services and economic growth” in terrorism-afflicted areas.

The committee also announced a “special package to provide security, communication, health, education, employment, basic amenities and other services in these areas under an organised programme”.

“The forum decided that the government will ensure complete care, rehabilitation, and the provision of basic needs for the welfare of the people affected in the areas where temporary relocation took place, so that this temporary difficulty can form the base for peace, development and prosperity in the future,” the statement read.

“Their dignified return is a top priority for the [KP] government,” it stressed.

The federal and KP governments have recently traded barbs over who authorised the evacuation process after hundreds of Tirah residents vacated their homes ahead of a planned military action against terrorists.

Speaking during the meeting, CM Afridi stressed that the provincial government “will not make any compromise on peace” in the province.

He asserted that the “civil government, authorities, armed forces, and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are on the same page for law and order and will continue their joint efforts”.

He reiterated that the fight against terrorism was a “collective one and can only be won through joint efforts”.

The declaration comes only days after the CM Afridi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the two discussed issues related to KP’s finances and counterterrorism.

On counter-terrorism, PM Shehbaz had termed the KP government’s cooperation in establishing peace in the province as “unavoidable”.

“There is a need to improve the provincial government’s efforts to establish law and order,” he said, urging the KP government to strengthen provincial departments to combat terrorism.

Affirming that both the Centre and the provincial government would continue their efforts to combat militancy, the premier said the KP administration should fulfil its constitutional duties to ensure peace and public welfare.

The PTI-led KP government and the Centre have mostly been at odds over counter-terrorism policies in the province, particularly military operations, with the former objecting to “decisions taken behind closed doors”.

CM Afridi has repeatedly called for a “policy shift” and urged the inclusion of the provincial government in counter-terrorism policy-making.

The debate on the right approach to establish law and order comes on the heels of heightened militancy.

According to the Annual Security Report 2025 from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a significant surge in violence last year as “fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025”.

This marked an “absolute increase of 711 deaths, accounting for over 82 per cent of the net national rise and marking almost a 44pc year-on-year surge in violence in the province”.