Khyber Pakhtunkhwa security policy will be set in Islamabad, not Kabul: Kundi

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday said intelligence-based operations are necessary to restore law and order and eliminate terrorism in the province, ruling out talks with those who reject the state, Constitution and law and take up arms.

Addressing a press briefing on the province’s security situation in Peshawar, Kundi said the province’s security policy would be determined in Islamabad rather than Jalalabad, Kandahar or Kabul.

He said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and would respond to those taking up arms against the state.

The governor said the provincial government had sought Rs160 billion for security requirements, a demand supported by the federal government. He described restoring peace as a top government priority and pledged full support to security forces and police in their fight against terrorism.

Kundi said police would be provided with modern weapons and ammunition, while salaries and compensation packages for the families of martyred personnel would also be improved. “Initiatives taken by Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan will be considered for adoption through better coordination among the provinces,” he added.

He said development projects could only benefit the people when their lives were secure, adding that restoring public confidence and strengthening relations between police and citizens could help win half the battle against terrorism.

The governor also criticised the previous provincial government, accusing it of not providing adequate support to the federal government in efforts to combat terrorism. He expressed concern over what he described as its silence on statements by Afghan officials about taking control of Peshawar and on drone attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

Kundi said the provincial government would take political responsibility for security and provide the police with all possible support. He added that he would continue to raise the province’s rights and resource requirements with the federal government, but action against those taking up arms against the state was necessary.

Security measures

On this occasion, the forum was informed that security forces had killed 3,788 terrorists over the past three years. By September this year, 255 military personnel, 302 police personnel and 304 civilians had been killed, according to the briefing.

The proposed measures include expanding the Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) operational jurisdiction to all 34 districts, establishing District Nerve Centres and setting up a Safe City Authority in 10 districts.

Artificial intelligence tools will also be used to counter what officials described as false and fabricated narratives on social media. Smart Front Desks are planned at 406 police stations in major cities across the province.

The meeting further decided to establish Dispute Resolution Councils and Tribal Liaison Committees in all districts, besides holding monthly open courts and regular jirgas.

Officials also discussed improving police capacity, strengthening coordination and adopting measures to build public trust in law enforcement agencies.