PESHAWAR: A senior security official has raised concerns over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s move to pursue dialogue with terrorists at a time when soldiers are sacrificing their lives combating a resurgence of extremist violence.
The comments followed a controversial resolution passed by the KP provincial assembly, spearheaded by PTI lawmakers, advocating for negotiations with terrorist groups while opposing ongoing military operations in the region.
On December 6, 2024, PTI legislators Abdul Ghani Afridi from Khyber and Adnan Wazir from Bannu presented the resolution. It argued that military operations had failed to deliver lasting peace and suggested dialogue as a more sustainable solution. The resolution specifically opposed military actions in Bannu and Khyber, areas grappling with increasing militant activities.
Saif, the KP Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information, defended the resolution, asserting that law and order remain the provincial government’s top priority. He explained that provincial assembly members reflect the sentiments of their constituents and emphasized PTI’s policy against unapproved military interventions. “No operation will proceed without the provincial government’s consent. We will decide when and where such actions are necessary,” he stated.
However, the senior security official sharply criticized PTI’s stance, recalling the party’s earlier policy of negotiating with the TTP in 2022, which included resettling militants, legitimizing their demands, and even allocating offices for them. The official expressed frustration over the recent resolution, describing it as a repeat of failed strategies that embolden extremist groups.
The official highlighted the sacrifices made by Pakistan Army personnel in areas like the Tirah Valley, Jani Khel, and Bannu, where military operations have cost many lives. “Are the sacrifices of these soldiers not valued by the politicians supporting such groups?” he questioned.
He also noted that similar resolutions passed between 2002 and 2007 in the KP assembly exacerbated terrorism, requiring extensive military campaigns and immense sacrifices to restore order.
“The PTI government’s misguided policies are paving the way for another wave of violence,” he warned. “How can one negotiate with those who openly wage war against the country and its people? Sustainable peace cannot be achieved by resettling or legitimizing terrorists. The solution lies in their complete elimination.”
The official urged the provincial government to rethink its approach, emphasizing that the people of KP deserve decisive action against terrorism, not concessions that could lead to further chaos.
