Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting of the Federal Apex Committee in Peshawar to address the escalating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Held at Governor House, the high-level session focused on reviewing the province's political landscape and the resurgence of militancy. The atmosphere was defined by urgency, with participants agreeing that decisive action was required to secure the region.
In his address, Shehbaz Sharif defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that it was a necessary response to extreme compulsion. He explicitly blamed the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial government, alleging that they neglected public services and allowed militancy to resurge. 'We cannot leave Khyber Pakhtunkhwa burning and remain silent spectators,' he declared, reinforcing the federal government's stance that it could not stand idle while national security was at stake.
PM Shehbaz vows to eliminate terrorism and its roots Follow our live election coverage here: https://t.co/YzHs97Hdw6
The prime minister’s pledge to eliminate terrorism was unambiguous. He vowed that the government would not rest until the last terrorist was eliminated. The federal government committed to providing concrete support for the provincial police, Safe City projects, and the Counter Terrorism Department. Participants in the meeting concurred that complete eradication of the threat was the primary objective, aligning with the National Action Plan’s directives.
This body is designed to oversee the multifaceted efforts to improve security and governance in the province.
To address the security challenges, the federal government announced plans to invest 800 billion rupees to tackle the issues in the province. The discussion also highlighted institutional weaknesses left by the previous administration, including 5,000 vacant police positions that had remained unfilled during their tenure. The prime minister emphasized that filling these gaps and bolstering security forces were critical steps in stabilizing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, emphasized mobilizing the nation’s forces to eradicate terrorism as reports of unprecedented insecurity in the country emerge. https://t.co/S9D2zjYX4x
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif announced the formation of an advisory council to guide the implementation of the National Action Plan. This body is designed to oversee the multifaceted efforts to improve security and governance in the province. The meeting served as a platform for reviewing recent developments and ensuring that the federal and provincial mechanisms work in tandem to counter militancy effectively.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by the acknowledgment of the heavy toll of the war against terrorism. The meeting recognized that approximately 80,000 people had lost their lives in the fight against extremism, a somber reminder of the human cost. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that the government would work hard day and night to speedily make progress towards development and prosperity for the affected populations.
Beyond security, there was a shared commitment to development. The prime minister emphasized the need for federal support in improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He pledged to work with the military leadership to address the province’s security and development challenges, aiming to create an environment where reconstruction could proceed safely. This pledge was received with the understanding that lasting stability requires both security and economic revitalization.
As the meeting concluded, the path ahead was defined by a collective resolve to secure Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal government’s commitment to providing resources and oversight was framed as a crucial step toward restoring normalcy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s words served as a promise to a province that has endured significant suffering, setting the stage for a sustained effort to eliminate terrorism and rebuild the region.