PESHAWAR: A three-hour meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apex Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded at the Governor House in Peshawar on Thursday, with participants agreeing on the complete elimination of terrorism and reviewing ongoing counterterrorism operations and the province’s law and order situation, according to Governor House sources.
Speaking at the meeting, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said peace in the province and the protection of its people were a shared priority, calling for a coordinated strategy between the federal government, national institutions and the provincial administration to address security challenges.
“Our first priority is the establishment of peace and the elimination of terrorism,” Kundi said, adding that the administration had focused from its first day on strengthening police capacity, supporting security institutions and accelerating development in the merged districts.
He said the success of the counterterrorism campaign should ultimately be measured through public confidence, stronger professional capabilities of the police and Counter-Terrorism Department, and the dismantling of the entire militant network.
Kundi called for coordinated action not only against militants but also against their facilitators, support networks and sources of financing.
He said the people of KP should not have to choose between peace and development, adding that it was the responsibility of the state to provide both.
The governor also placed particular emphasis on the merged districts, saying communities there had paid a heavy price during years of conflict and should now receive improved access to education, healthcare, employment and economic opportunities.
He paid tribute to civilians and personnel of the police, Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Federal Constabulary who had lost their lives in the fight against terrorism, saying their sacrifices required the state to make its counterterrorism efforts more effective.
Kundi said his office and advisory team had reviewed the province’s administrative gaps and security challenges and prepared recommendations aimed at setting clear priorities, workable solutions and a results-based strategy.
He also praised the public for maintaining restraint during the political and administrative transition in the province, saying no untoward incident had occurred despite what he described as attempts at provocation.
The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Asim Munir, heads of law enforcement agencies and senior civil and military officials.
Federal ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar and Amir Muqam, along with Rana Sanaullah and Governor Kundi, were also present.
The KP chief secretary, inspector general of police, Peshawar corps commander and provincial advisers also participated in the meeting.
Governor House sources said the committee reviewed security arrangements and counterterrorism operations, with the KP inspector general of police and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefing participants on security measures, available facilities and operational requirements.
The meeting also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, police and civilians in the fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz assured the provincial administration of the federal government’s cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, while the Centre pledged to provide the police and CTD with the facilities and resources required for operations against militancy.
The Apex Committee meeting comes as the federal government continues to implement a new political, security and administrative structure in KP following the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule earlier this month.
The political and administrative order in the province changed on October 11, when President Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of an emergency under Article 232 and governor’s rule under Article 234 following a federal cabinet recommendation.
The federal government cited the deteriorating security situation and what it described as inadequate cooperation by the PTI-led provincial government in counterterrorism efforts. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, his cabinet and advisers ceased to hold office, while executive authority shifted to Kundi.
The Centre subsequently announced an 11-member advisory council to assist the governor and established a separate Area Development Secretariat covering 12 terrorism-affected districts.
These include Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Upper South Waziristan, Lower South Waziristan and North Waziristan.
The federal government also authorised the deployment of the Pakistan Army under Article 245 to assist the civil administration.
Security measures and detentions
The immediate impact of the measures was visible in Peshawar on October 12, when containers blocked routes through the cantonment and towards the Governor House and Red Zone ahead of a PTI protest.
Educational institutions were closed and security was tightened, while mobile phone and Wi-Fi services were temporarily suspended before being restored.
Afridi and members of his former cabinet were also taken into “preventive custody”, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed at the time.
At the first provincial Apex Committee meeting under the new arrangement, Kundi and Naqvi said counterterrorism would be the administration’s priority. Kundi pledged to strengthen the police and CTD, while Naqvi said the federal and provincial administrations were “on the same page” over security.
Parliamentary approval, court challenge
The emergency measures subsequently moved through Parliament. The National Assembly and Senate endorsed them on October 14 before a joint sitting of Parliament approved the resolution on October 15 by 214 votes to 56 amid opposition protests.
The new administrative structure expanded further on October 17, when the federal government appointed 48 members to a Regional Representative and Development Council covering the 12 designated districts following jirga consultations.
The measures have also been challenged before the Peshawar High Court.
On October 20, the court reserved its decision on petitions challenging the emergency and governor’s rule.
A day later, the court sought reports from senior provincial authorities on Afridi’s whereabouts and legal status after his family alleged that he was being unlawfully held. The matter was adjourned until November 3.
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