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Peshawar – Pakistan’s failure to fully enforce the National Action Plan (NAP), a counterterrorism framework agreed upon by all political parties, has led to a resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, said Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the DG ISPR said the province has remained on the frontlines of Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign for the past two decades.
“When the frequency of terrorist incidents increased again in 2021, security forces gave a firm and effective response,” he said, adding that more Khawarij have been killed in recent years than in the past nine years combined.
The term ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ was adopted by the state earlier this year to describe militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
‘Brave and Resilient People of KP’
The press conference, streamed live on YouTube, began with Lt Gen Chaudhry paying tribute to the “brave and resilient people” of K-P, recognizing their sacrifices alongside the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
He presented detailed figures of security operations, stating that to date, 10,115 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) have been carried out across the province. In 2024, security forces killed 769 terrorists, while 577 individuals, including 272 Pakistan Army personnel, lost their lives. Over 14,500 counterterrorism operations were conducted nationwide, dismantling key militant networks and safe havens.
Governance Vacuum and Political Complicity
The DG ISPR asserted that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorists and their facilitators were deliberately given space, governance was intentionally weakened, and misleading narratives were promoted to serve political ends.
He also discouraged negotiations with terrorists, invoking an example from Islamic history:
“If dialogue could resolve every issue, then remember the Battle of Badr; when the Leader of both worlds, the most exalted among mankind, did not choose talks that day. On that battlefield, sons stood before fathers, and brothers stood against brothers.”
India’s Involvement and Afghan Link
Lt Gen Chaudhry accused India of exploiting Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against Pakistan, noting that 161 Afghan nationals have been killed in terrorism-related incidents inside Pakistan.
His remarks came hours after twin explosions in central Kabul.
Two powerful explosions shook central Kabul on Thursday evening. The first occurred around 9:50pm local time (1720 GMT), followed by a second a few minutes later. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the blasts on X, saying, “The incident is under investigation, but no casualties have been reported yet and everything is fine.”
When asked about reports blaming Pakistan for the strike, DG ISPR avoided a direct confirmation, instead emphasizing Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with Afghanistan:
“Afghanistan is a neighbouring, Islamic country. We have historical and cultural connections. Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for four decades. We only say one thing to the Afghan government: do not allow your soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan.”
He questioned the emerging narrative opposing the repatriation of undocumented Afghans, calling it politically motivated and misleading.
Governance Gaps and National Sacrifices
Recalling a recent statement by the Chief of Army Staff, the DG ISPR said that governance gaps across the country were being filled “not through reforms but through the sacrifices of the armed forces, police personnel, children, and institutions; all paying the price with their blood.”
He reiterated that terrorists, regardless of their affiliations or positions, would find no safe haven in Pakistan as the nation stands united like a “wall of iron.”
Political Narratives Fueling Terrorism
Highlighting the root causes behind the surge in terrorism and the state’s countermeasures, the ISPR chief cautioned that reckless political narratives on terrorism for short-term political gains have proven dangerous. He said certain groups have confused the public and promoted propaganda against state operations, resulting in grave consequences for both society and security forces.
“Terrorism is not a matter for political theater,” he stressed. “It demands unity, not division, national interest must come first.”
A Criminal-Political Nexus
Lt Gen Chaudhry described the security landscape in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “not mere sporadic militancy, but an organized criminal and political nexus.”
He accused some local and political actors of deliberately providing space to militants, shielding them, and manipulating public sentiment through misleading rhetoric, forcing ordinary citizens to pay the price.
Three Options for Facilitators
Issuing a firm warning, the DG ISPR said that those aiding terrorists had only three options:
“Cease aiding terrorists, hand them over to the state, or prepare to face the consequences.”
He emphasized that the status quo would no longer be tolerated if individuals continued to act against national interests.
Judicial Delays Undermining Counterterrorism
Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that thousands of terrorism-related cases remain pending in anti-terrorism courts, with delays in adjudication posing a serious challenge.
He called for judicial reforms, speedy trials, and evidence-based convictions to ensure timely justice and dismantle militant networks more effectively.
A Call for Unified Strategy
Concluding his remarks, Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the state and its institutions would not be swayed by political gimmicks nor allow anyone to endanger citizens’ lives, property, or dignity.
“Pakistan’s foundation rests on security, rule of law, and public interest; every state action will reflect these principles,” he stated.
The presser conveyed a clear message, Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy cannot rest on military muscle alone. It requires political will, judicial reform, re-evaluation and calibration of Pakistan’s Afghan policy, as well as socio-economic stability.
Unless these components are integrated into a coordinated national strategy, peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and across Pakistan, will remain fragile.
