Peshawar, Pakistan: The worsening law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has triggered renewed criticism of the PTI-led provincial government, with political observers and security analysts accusing the administration of showing indifference toward its foremost constitutional responsibility maintaining public security and order.
The criticism comes amid a surge in terrorist attacks targeting security personnel and civilians across the province, raising concerns about the provincial government’s preparedness and seriousness in addressing the growing threat.
Analysts argue that despite repeated incidents of violence, the provincial administration has failed to formulate an effective counterterrorism strategy. Questions are also being raised regarding the response of Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi, who has faced criticism for what opponents describe as an indifferent attitude toward the worsening security environment.
Critics pointed out that the chief minister neither attended funerals of several security personnel martyred in recent attacks nor issued strong public condemnations following major terrorist incidents. Opposition figures and observers say such conduct reflects a lack of urgency at a time when the province faces increasing militant violence.
The debate intensified further after controversial remarks by some PTI lawmakers. PTI leader Shandana Gulzar reportedly suggested that security forces should withdraw from certain areas for one month as an “experiment” to assess whether terrorism could be controlled without military deployment. The statement drew widespread criticism from political commentators and security experts, who termed the proposal irresponsible given the prevailing security challenges.
Security assessments indicate that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) (TTP is officially known as Khawarji in Pakistan) terrorists continue to operate from safe havens inside Afghan border provinces including Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, Paktika, Nuristan, and Paktiya. According to security officials, several terrorist training facilities have expanded or become operational since 2024, allowing fighters to regroup and plan attacks after escaping Pakistani military operations.
Officials say the porous and mountainous Pak-Afghan border remains a major factor facilitating militant infiltration. Pakistani authorities have informed international forums, including the United Nations Security Council, that thousands of infiltrators crossed into Pakistan since mid-2025. Security sources maintain that Afghan nationals form a significant portion of terrorist formations, locally referred to as “tashkeels.”
According to officials, terrorists often cross the border in small groups before hiding in border districts to prepare and execute attacks inside Pakistan.
The continued rise in attacks has fueled criticism that the PTI-led provincial government remains more focused on political narratives than addressing the deteriorating security situation, despite law and order being a core responsibility of the provincial administration under the Constitution.
