The prime minister says restoring peace, strengthening counterterrorism institutions and accelerating development are the government’s priorities following the decision on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the federal government was left with no option but to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) after repeated efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue failed.
Addressing a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, the prime minister said the decision followed consultations with allied parties and was prompted by the province’s deteriorating security situation and the need to protect Pakistan’s development trajectory.
He said the federal government had made sustained efforts to engage the provincial leadership and offered cooperation to tackle terrorism and promote economic development, but those efforts had failed to produce an agreement.
“It’s now or never,” Shehbaz recalled telling the federal cabinet while explaining the urgency of the situation. He said the cabinet had held detailed discussions before reaching the decision.
The prime minister said an advisory council comprising experts and professionals from different fields, including health, education and finance, had been constituted to help improve governance and address the province’s pressing challenges.
Restoring peace and strengthening security institutions
Shehbaz said the government’s foremost priority was to restore peace and eliminate terrorism in KP. He highlighted plans to strengthen the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), improve their operational capacity and establish Safe City projects.
He said the people of KP had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and deserved lasting peace, security and better access to essential services.
Recalling the sacrifices of civilians and security personnel, the prime minister said sustained counterterrorism efforts had significantly reduced terrorism across Pakistan by 2018, particularly in KP, where communities had suffered extensive losses.
He expressed concern over renewed terrorist activity in the province, citing the deaths of police personnel and armed forces members, as well as abductions and attacks that had heightened insecurity.
Shehbaz said the federal government had repeatedly offered successive provincial chief ministers support for joint counterterrorism efforts and economic development.
He regretted that political activities, long marches and sit-ins had, in his view, taken precedence over strengthening law enforcement institutions and supporting security operations.
PM links political stability with economic progress
The prime minister also warned that prolonged political agitation could undermine Pakistan’s economic progress as the country worked to improve economic indicators, reduce poverty and create employment opportunities.
Referring to his recent engagements with international financial institutions and business representatives abroad, he said he had received positive feedback on Pakistan’s economic reforms and prospects.
However, he stressed that sustained economic progress required peace and stability throughout the country.
Shehbaz said the government intended to address the people’s long-standing demands for improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure and other public services alongside efforts to restore law and order.
He maintained that the measures were aimed at serving KP’s residents, improving governance and rebuilding public confidence through better security and development initiatives.
The prime minister expressed hope that collective efforts and public support would help the province regain peace and move towards greater development and prosperity.