Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to improve security, strengthen public services and eliminate terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying Pakistan’s development, prosperity and survival remain the government’s top priorities.
Addressing a parliamentary party meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Islamabad on Tuesday, the prime minister said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and deserved lasting peace, better healthcare, quality education and improved living conditions.
Sharif said the federal government would focus on restoring law and order, making schools, universities and hospitals fully functional, ensuring the availability of medicines, improving police training and strengthening the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). He also announced plans to advance Safe City projects to improve security and help law enforcement agencies respond more effectively to threats.
Prime Minister Says Security Is Essential for Development
The prime minister said Pakistan could not sustain its economic progress if terrorism and violence continued to claim the lives of civilians, police personnel and members of the armed forces.
He recalled that terrorism had been largely eliminated by 2017-18 through security operations and sacrifices by the public and security forces. However, he alleged that militant activity returned to parts of the country after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to power.
Sharif said the federal government had made repeated efforts over the past two and a half years to work with successive provincial administrations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said discussions with former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other provincial representatives had focused on shared responsibility for national development and counterterrorism.
According to the prime minister, those efforts did not produce the cooperation needed to address the worsening security situation.
He stressed that terrorism was not merely a provincial concern but a national challenge requiring coordination among the federal government, provincial authorities, police and armed forces.
Federal Government Defends Emergency Decision
Sharif said the government decided to take constitutional measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after negotiations failed to resolve the political and security impasse.
He explained that representatives of the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had participated in discussions aimed at reaching an agreement. Although the talks had reportedly made progress, the process eventually broke down.
The prime minister said the federal cabinet subsequently held detailed consultations with coalition partners before deciding that further delays could worsen the situation.
The federal government announced emergency measures for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on October 11, suspending the PTI-led provincial government and placing the province under an emergency administrative arrangement.
Sharif maintained that the decision was taken in the interest of national security and stability. He also criticised political protests and confrontational rhetoric, arguing that political forces should prioritise efforts against terrorism rather than actions that could deepen instability.
His remarks reflected the federal government’s position on the crisis. PTI, however, has rejected the emergency measures and described them as a political move against its provincial administration.
Advisory Council to Focus on Public Services
The prime minister said an advisory council had been established to help address governance, security and development challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the council included professionals and experts from different fields, including healthcare, education and finance, who would contribute to improving public services and supporting the province’s development.
Sharif identified schools, universities, hospitals and the availability of medicines as key priorities. He also highlighted the need to improve police capabilities, strengthen the CTD and establish Safe City systems to support surveillance and law enforcement.
He said the government intended to work towards tangible improvements in public safety and essential services, adding that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should see practical results from development initiatives.
The prime minister described the province’s people as brave and hospitable, saying their welfare, dignity and prosperity remained important national priorities.
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Sharif Links Economic Progress With Stability
Sharif also discussed Pakistan’s economic direction, saying the government aimed to reduce poverty and unemployment and gradually free the country from dependence on borrowing.
He said sustained economic improvement required hard work, transparency, responsible governance and cooperation among institutions.
The prime minister cited meetings with international financial institutions and major banks as evidence that Pakistan’s economic reforms had attracted attention abroad. He said representatives of international financial institutions had expressed appreciation for the country’s reform efforts and optimism about future investment prospects.
However, he argued that continuing security threats could undermine investor confidence and slow economic development.
Sharif said eliminating terrorism would create better conditions for investment, economic activity and public welfare. He urged political leaders and institutions to work together to protect the country’s stability and maintain progress.
He also said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had waited for years for improvements in education, healthcare, law and order and governance. The government, he added, would focus on addressing these needs while working to prevent further violence.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan’s development and survival would remain the government’s central objectives, with restoring peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa forming a key part of that effort.
