Pakistan Reaffirms Joint Federal-Provincial Resolve Against Terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Apex Committee Approves Modern Weapons for Police and CTD

Peshawar: The federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration on Monday reaffirmed their resolve to jointly fight terrorism in the province, as the Provincial Apex Committee decided to enhance the capacity of the provincial police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and equip them with modern weaponry.

The meeting, held at Governor House Peshawar, was jointly chaired by Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The committee declared that the establishment of peace and order in the province was the shared objective and foremost priority of all state institutions, on which there would be no compromise.

Addressing the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that the federal government would extend full support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the war against terrorism and provide every possible assistance to strengthen the province’s law enforcement agencies. According to a Governor House spokesperson, the minister said the Centre would offer all necessary cooperation, including the provision of essential resources and equipment, to build the capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and the CTD so that terrorism could be countered effectively and law and order maintained.

The minister paid tribute to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for the immense sacrifices its personnel have rendered in the line of duty in defence of the motherland. He urged all stakeholders, including members of the advisory council, to remain steadfast and show courage in difficult circumstances, stating, “We are on the right path and we will succeed.”

Mohsin Naqvi said the federal and provincial governments were now on the same page. He noted that the previous PTI provincial government had been repeatedly requested to become part of the fight against terrorism in the province, but alleged that it believed it could set the province ablaze by blocking roads. He commended the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for remaining peaceful.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi vowed that “thirteen years of mess will be cleaned up in three months,” adding that policy for the province would now come from Islamabad, not Jalalabad. “We can make sacrifices on development, but not on security,” the Governor said, asserting that the measures taken against terrorism would be clearly visible on the ground.