DND Special Report written by Khalid Khan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been engulfed in instability and terrorism for decades, but the situation has worsened significantly in recent years. During the third consecutive PTI-led government, militants have regained a foothold, while the provincial administration has failed to counter these threats. The ongoing unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a result of government incompetence and political discord, which have inadvertently strengthened extremist forces.
Under PTI’s leadership, the provincial government not only demonstrated inconsistency in policymaking but also ignored clear directives from state institutions and security strategies. Instead of taking decisive action against terrorism, the provincial administration misled the public through various narratives, allowing militant groups to reactivate. The weak governance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has resulted in frequent attacks on police and other law enforcement agencies, while no comprehensive strategy has been put forward to address the crisis.
No more “Good and Bad militant Policy”
The policy of differentiating between “good” and “bad” militants must be abandoned. Terrorists, regardless of their ideology, remain a threat to the state. The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged districts has deteriorated to such an extent that government control has nearly collapsed.
The soft approach towards militant groups for short-term gains has proven to be a grave mistake. This policy has not only strengthened existing militant groups but also provided room for new extremist elements to emerge. Labeling armed groups as “Mujahideen” when they serve specific interests and branding them “terrorists” when they turn against state institutions or religious leadership has eroded public trust and complicated the security crisis.
Trial of those who invited terrorists back to Pakistan is needed
During the PTI government, informal agreements were made with certain militant groups, yielding disastrous consequences. The temporary ceasefire with the TTP and its eventual collapse significantly contributed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s worsening security situation. Meanwhile, a potential alliance between the TTP and ISKP has raised alarms not only for Pakistan but for the entire region’s stability.
Key state institutions, particularly the military, have consistently prioritized national security, making immense sacrifices to dismantle terrorist networks. Operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad played a crucial role in restoring peace and stability. However, when political leadership neglects its fundamental responsibilities and government policies remain weak, terrorists inevitably regain strength.
A non-partisan and long-term strategy is needed
Certain right-wing political parties’ enthusiasm over the Taliban’s takeover in Kabul and their ambiguous stance on militant groups have further destabilized the situation. A non-partisan and long-term strategy is urgently needed to combat rising extremism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged districts.
The deteriorating situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can only be resolved through a strong, stable, and nationally driven policy. Sustainable peace and stability in the province demand that all political parties set aside personal differences and formulate a collective strategy. While the military and other state institutions are fulfilling their responsibilities, lasting peace remains unattainable unless the government plays its due role.
State institutions must take immediate measures to curb the rising tide of terrorism in the province, while the federal government must hold the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration accountable for its failures. Without addressing issues of insecurity, governance crises, and developmental deficiencies, the dream of lasting peace will remain elusive.
Counter-checking of Information
Northern and Southern Waziristan have effectively fallen under the control of various terrorist factions. Even security agencies struggle to operate without enforcing curfews. Local intelligence sources, often operating from safe havens, provide misleading reports, exacerbating the situation. Government informants also exercise extreme caution in fulfilling their duties, leading to discrepancies between intelligence reports and ground realities.
Sensitisation Campaign is needed
Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan have been completely overrun by terrorist groups. The threat level has exceeded critical limits, with militants extending their reach beyond Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Punjab’s border areas, such as Taunsa and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Karak, a district known for its educated and hardworking populace, historically maintained peace but is now grappling with severe terrorism. Major terror incidents have unfolded there, with the district—bordering Punjab’s Mianwali—now hosting a significant militant presence. Similarly, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, and Parachinar have fallen into extremist hands. These regions have been marked as part of the self-declared Islamic Emirate by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other armed groups, which have established parallel governments. These entities regularly issue press releases and updates to media outlets, highlighting their influence.
Militant strongholds remain active in Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Dir, Swat, Buner, Chitral, and Malakand. Peshawar Valley, comprising Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, and Swabi, is home to multiple terrorist networks. The Akora Khattak area of Nowshera, bordering Punjab’s Attock, is heavily infested with militants.
No lessons learned from Balochistan — Sindh in protest mode
A broader assessment of Pakistan reveals that much of Balochistan remains under the control of Baloch separatists. Reckless state policies have fueled growing Sindhi nationalism, with nationalist groups protesting systemic deprivation of Sindh’s rights. They claim that organized land seizures and water shortages are systematically pushing Sindh towards desertification. A potential alliance between Baloch separatists and Sindhi nationalists cannot be ruled out, posing a serious risk of a Pakistan-wide separatist movement.
Karachi, Hyderabad, and urban-rural Sindh are potential hotspots for secessionist activity, with RAW-backed factions waiting for an opportune moment to exploit the situation. India’s strategic ambitions, RAW’s active presence in Karachi, and international adversaries make Sindh vulnerable to a major security crisis.
Sectarian Grouping in Punjab
In Punjab, sectarian groups have deeply embedded themselves, operating extensive networks across Pakistan. These factions bolster the strength of Punjab’s mainstream religious parties. The scale of sectarian networks in Punjab rivals the influence of terrorist groups in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Punjab’s long border with India, coupled with RAW’s infiltration, adds fuel to the fire. The province remains a ticking time bomb, where accusations of blasphemy, apostasy, and religious conflicts could trigger widespread unrest at any moment.
In most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in southern districts, terrorists effectively run parallel governments at night. Roadblocks, ID checks, and militant patrols have become a nightly routine. Reliable sources indicate that political figures, key personalities, and police officials regularly pay extortion to militants for their safety.
In Balochistan, the insurgency is being fought with strategic precision. The state faces resistance on two fronts—Baloch separatists in the mountains and female-led protests over missing persons in urban areas, drawing international attention.
Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with neighboring countries are at their lowest point in history. Afghanistan remains hostile, while Iran has its strategic interests in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. India’s longstanding enmity is well known, and China’s trust in Pakistan has been repeatedly tested. The country stands at a crossroads, with paths leading equally to prosperity or downfall. Without decisive national unity, Pakistan faces nothing but chaos and destruction.
The time has come for the government, political leadership, and state institutions to unite against militancy. Terrorism is too grave an issue to be exploited for political gain. All parties must act responsibly to steer Pakistan back onto the path of peace, development, and prosperity.
CPEC Motorway and lessons learned from the Jaffar Express disaster
The unfortunate incident of Jaffar Express hijacking indicates that there were no cellphone signals available in the area where terrorists took control of the train, and the news arrived at law enforcement agencies after a delay of over five hours. There was no security arrangement in and around the tunnel, and there was no police patrolling by railway guards/police along the railway track. The situation is similar to that of the newly built CPEC Motorway. One can see police patrolling on the Hazara Expressway from Islamabad to Mansehra, but there are no police patrolling when the Hazara Expressway ends and the CPEC (expressway) starts. There are two tunnels, including one that is 2.5 km long, and this is a single carriage tunnel, and one can hardly see that its lights are on inside the tunnel. Moreover, there is no police available even during the daytime. There is a cell phone signal problem in this area from Mansehra to Thakot. Â Since the province is prone to terrorism, there should be proper guarding of tunnels and the CPEC (expressway) at least at night times.
