Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that the rise in terrorist activities coincides with the ousting of the Imran Khan-led government.
Imran Khan was removed from the position of Prime Minister through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
In a media interaction in Islamabad, Gandapur suggested that fostering better cross-border relations with Afghanistan could be facilitated through talks with tribal jirgas. He urged the federal government to grant provincial leaders the authority to mediate these discussions, expressing a willingness to engage local tribes in efforts to promote peace.
The chief minister criticized the federal government’s policies, which he believes have contributed to the rise in terrorism. He said, “Since the end of Imran Khan’s government, there has been an increase in terrorist incidents, a direct result of misguided policies.”
In reference to a recent Apex Committee meeting, Gandapur emphasized the need for decisive action to locate and recover missing persons. He also expressed frustration with the federal government’s dismissal of political grievances and called for the formation of a commission to investigate the events of May 9.
The chief minister pointed out that the responsibility for security in border areas lies with the federal government and military. He also noted that while military operations in merged tribal areas have not yielded significant results, alternative approaches need to be considered.
Gandapur reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing efforts to counter terrorism and ensure peace.
It may be mentioned here that in 2024, Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies conducted 59,775 counter-terrorism operations, leading to the deaths of 925 terrorists, according to Express News on Tuesday. These operations were largely intelligence-driven and marked a significant milestone in the country’s fight against terrorism.
The operations, which targeted terrorist hideouts, training camps, and key facilitators, also resulted in the apprehension of hundreds of individuals, dismantling several terrorist networks.
A large portion of these operations focused on high-value targets, with 73 of the killed terrorists being among the most wanted, including infamous figures like Fida Rahman (Lala), Ali Rahman, and Abu Yahya. Additionally, two suicide bombers were captured, preventing potential attacks.
Apart from counter-terrorism efforts, Pakistan also carried out successful operations against criminal activities like smuggling, electricity theft, extortion, and hoarding. These initiatives have contributed to reducing the capacity of terrorist and criminal groups to operate.
