Khyber Pakhtunkhwa counter terrorism policy debate CM Sohail Afridi stance on terrorism in KP KP government role in national security policymaking Pakistan counterterrorism strategy and provincial coordination ISPR criticism of PTI leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rising terrorism incidents in KP province 2025 — KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addresses a convocation in Peshawar, calling for unity and inclusion in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.

CM Afridi urges including KP government in anti-terror policymaking

CM Afridi demands inclusive counter-terrorism policy, rejects closed-door decisions, and urges federal authorities to work with KP leadership.

By News Editor On Jan 7, 2026

Peshawar – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday stressed the need to involve the provincial government in shaping counter-terrorism strategies. Speaking at a convocation ceremony at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University in Peshawar, he said that meaningful cooperation with KP was essential for effectively tackling terrorism.

His statement followed strong criticism from ISPR Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry a day earlier, who held the PTI leadership in KP responsible for the recent surge in militant activity.

A debate on security policy is gaining momentum.
KP CM says the nation must be consulted before any military operation.

He calls for a shift away from closed-door decisions.#SohailAfridi #PakArmy pic.twitter.com/cqM8w8jQPn

— Vok (@vokoriginals) January 7, 2026

The chief minister, while addressing the convocation, stressed that anti-terrorism operations should be carried out after taking the nation into confidence.

He said that they restored peace after great hardship, but “closed-door decisions” had once again made life difficult for its people.

The PTI-backed chief minister said that they had rendered sacrifices for Pakistan repeatedly and would continue to do so.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation announced by the federal government for people whose houses were destroyed during the war on terror.

Stressing the need for a shift in the existing policy against terrorism, the chief minister said that a new policy should be made in consultation with the KP government, tribal elders and other stakeholders.

An annual report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies also mentions that KP experienced the most significant surge, where the “fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025” — more than 40% year-on-year increase in the province.

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Lt Gen Chaudhry, a day earlier, had detailed that nearly 71% of terrorist incidents occurred in 2025 reported from KP and stressed that the primary reason for this is a “politically conducive environment and the flourishing political-criminal-terror-nexus which is flourishing there”.

The military’s spokesperson had also criticised KP CM Afridi’s position on talks and dismissed calls for Afghan security guarantees, while questioning opposition to counterterrorism operations.

The PTI builds a false narrative while sitting in assemblies, he had said, questioning whether the army was sent to KP “with shovels to extract minerals”.

“If you do not want a military operation, then what should be done — sit at the feet of khawarij?” the ISPR DG had said. “Should khawarij leader Noor Wali Mehsud be made the provinces chief minister and allegiance pledged to him?” he had asked.

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He had maintained that seeking assurances from a group accused of harbouring terrorists was illogical, reiterating that counterterrorism required firm state action rather than political ambiguity.

Referring to governance issues, he had said illegal mining was taking place in KP and linked the proliferation of illegal weapons directly to terrorism.