The war of words between the federal government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over national security matters has continued even over something as sensitive as terrorism. In the latest, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has accused KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of misleading the public and failing to take action against terrorists. Chaudhry has essentially claimed that there was no talk of any operation during the recent security huddle. Gandapur, on the other hand, has dismissed the federal government's security briefings as ineffective, emphasising that past military operations have done more harm than good and calling for diplomatic engagement with the Afghan Taliban instead. Ordinarily, such political mudslinging could be brushed aside as routine infighting. However, with Pakistan reeling from a staggering number of terrorist attacks -- over 50 in just two days -- this is no time for political point-scoring. Terrorism is not a problem that can be solved through rhetoric alone; it requires a unified national response. Gandapur’s refusal to endorse another military operation in KP may be rooted in legitimate concerns over the effectiveness of past operations, but his government cannot afford to completely disengage from the federal security framework because the terror problem only seems to be increasing. The Global Terrorism Index 2025 placed Pakistan as the second-most affected country by terrorism, having witnessed an alarming 45 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths with the total rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. The number of terror attacks more than doubled from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024, which also marked the first year that attacks exceeded the 1,000 mark since the inception of the Index.
The PTI’s reluctance to take a firm stance against militant groups may also be borne out of fear. The Awami National Party (ANP), which governed KP from 2008 to 2013, faced a ruthless onslaught from terrorists, with many of its leaders assassinated and its election campaigns crippled. The current KP leadership likely fears a similar fate. However, caving to fear is not an option. The province has already suffered immensely due to decades of militant violence, and inaction will only embolden terrorist groups further. Gandapur’s suggestion to engage with the Afghan Taliban can be considered -- but with FO intervention. Pakistan has already issued repeated warnings to Afghanistan regarding the presence of TTP and Baloch insurgents on its soil. While military strikes across the border have been discussed, such actions risk escalating into a full-blown conflict with Afghanistan -- something Pakistan can ill afford.
All diplomatic channels must be exhausted before considering extreme measures. The Afghan Taliban regime, whether Pakistan likes it or not, is a reality that cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, Chaudhry’s assertion that no military operation is underway in KP suggests that any counterterrorism action will likely follow the model of Azm-e-Istehkam, a comprehensive strategy that focuses on kinetic and non-kinetic measures. However, the government must ensure that there is no ambiguity in its approach. Terrorism must be rooted out through strict and decisive action, and for that, political unity is essential. Instead of engaging in blame games, both federal and provincial authorities must prioritise Pakistan’s security above all else. If terrorism is to be truly defeated, it will require a cohesive national policy that tackles the root causes of extremism.