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  "path": "/news/1971238/kp-apex-committee-deems-cooperation-with-centre-political-parties-vital-for-successful-counter-terrorism-policy",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-05T12:44:04.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan",
    "temporary relocation",
    "_traded barbs_",
    "_evacuation process_",
    "_planned_",
    "met with",
    "_objecting to_",
    "policy shift",
    "_Annual Security Report 2025_"
  ],
  "textContent": "The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa apex committee has termed “consultation, cooperation and coordination” with the federal government and all political parties “essential” for the success of a comprehensive counter-terrorism policy, it emerged on Thursday.\n\nKP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi chaired his first meeting of the provincial apex committee since assuming office on Wednesday.\n\nThe panel discussed the “general rise in terrorism incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an action plan to eradicate the menace of _Fitna-al-Khawarij_ and establish complete peace and stability”, as per a press release issued by the KP CM’s office today.\n\n_Fitna-al-Khawarij_ is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).\n\nDuring the meeting, the press release said, the committee agreed that “joint consultation, mutual cooperation, and practical coordination between all political parties, public representatives, and the federal government is essential for the success of a comprehensive counter-terrorism policy”.\n\nThe meeting was attended by provincial ministers, the Peshawar corps commander, the chief secretary and the KP inspector general. Senior civil, military and law enforcement officials were also present.\n\n> \n\nThe apex committee “firmly resolved that the KP government will utilise all its resources, including the armed forces, police, CTD (Counter-Terrorism Department) and other institutions, to combat terrorism and will not hesitate to make any sacrifices”.\n\nThe committee hoped that the “long-term strategy would identify all the causes of terrorism and eliminate them, and as a result, ensure the restoration of public confidence so that the government and the public” can work together for the country’s progress.\n\n“The KP government’s agenda is that only good governance and public interest can unite the nation against terrorism,” read the meeting’s press release.\n\nUnder this agenda, it was decided that in the “first phase, areas affected by terrorism will be converted into model good governance districts”.\n\nIt further said “all government resources will be utilised to compensate for the lack in the provision of development, social services and economic growth” in terrorism-afflicted areas.\n\nThe committee also announced a “special package to provide security, communication, health, education, employment, basic amenities and other services in these areas under an organised programme”.\n\n“The forum decided that the government will ensure complete care, rehabilitation, and the provision of basic needs for the welfare of the people affected in the areas where temporary relocation took place for sustainable stability, so that this temporary difficulty can form the base for peace, development and prosperity in the future,” the statement read.\n\n“Their dignified return is a top priority for the [KP] government,” it stressed.\n\nThe federal and KP governments have recently _traded barbs_ over who authorised the _evacuation process_ after hundreds of Tirah residents vacated their homes ahead of a _planned_ military action against terrorists.\n\nSpeaking during the meeting, CM Afridi stressed that the provincial government “will not make any compromise on peace” in the province.\n\nHe asserted that the “civil government, authorities, armed forces, and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are on the same page for law and order and will continue their joint efforts”.\n\nHe reiterated that the fight against terrorism was a “collective one and can only be won through joint efforts”.\n\nThe statement comes days after CM Afridi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the two discussed issues related to KP’s finances and counterterrorism.\n\nOn counter-terrorism, PM Shehbaz had termed the KP government’s cooperation in establishing peace in the province as “unavoidable”.\n\n“There is a need to improve the provincial government’s efforts to establish law and order,” he said, urging the KP government to strengthen provincial departments to combat terrorism.\n\nAffirming that both the Centre and the provincial government would continue their efforts to combat militancy, the premier said the KP administration should fulfil its constitutional duties to ensure peace and public welfare.\n\nThe PTI-led KP government and the Centre have mostly been at odds over counter-terrorism policies in the province, particularly military operations, with the former _objecting to_ “decisions taken behind closed doors”.\n\nCM Afridi has repeatedly called for a “policy shift” and urged the inclusion of the provincial government in counter-terrorism policy-making.\n\nThe debate on the right approach to establish law and order comes on the heels of heightened militancy.\n\nAccording to the _Annual Security Report 2025_ from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a significant surge in violence last year as “fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025”.\n\nThis marked an “absolute increase of 711 deaths, accounting for over 82 per cent of the net national rise and marking almost a 44pc year-on-year surge in violence in the province”.",
  "title": "KP apex committee deems ‘cooperation’ with Centre, political parties vital for successful counter-terrorism policy"
}