PM Shehbaz Tells Muqam Terrorism in KP 'Must Be Stopped at Any Cost'
PM Shehbaz Tells Muqam Terrorism in KP ‘Must Be Stopped at Any Cost’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that rising terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa “must be stopped” at any cost, as he met Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam in Islamabad. The remarks on KP terrorism came in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office after the meeting.
During the meeting, views were also exchanged on matters related to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the PMO said.
Development for KP, praise for its people
“It is our desire that KP should also develop like other parts of the country,” the prime minister was quoted as saying during the meeting.
“We regard with appreciation the sacrifices of the people of KP against terrorism,” he added.
The statement signals that the federal government wants the security debate in the province paired with a development push. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been governed by the PTI for over a decade, and the current chief minister, Sohail Afridi, has been leading the party’s protest march toward Islamabad, adding a political edge to every federal move in the province.
Muqam, who is also the PML-N’s provincial president in KP, has been the federal government’s point man on the province. He earlier slammed the PTI’s handling of security and warned that a further deterioration would have consequences for the whole country.
AJK and GB also on the agenda
The federal minister briefed the prime minister on ongoing matters and progress in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the statement said.
The prime minister directed that effective measures be continued to ensure the welfare, development and provision of basic facilities for the people of AJK and GB. He said the development of AJK and GB and the prosperity of their people were among the government’s priorities.
On Tuesday, PM Shehbaz had expressed dismay over the “unfortunate events” in AJK in recent months, adding that the law had taken its course. The government and the Joint Awami Action Committee have been at odds over various issues, most notably the committee’s demand to abolish the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, which led to violence-marred protests across the region.
The KP terrorism backdrop
The meeting took place as security forces step up operations in the province. A day earlier, five terrorists were killed in a North Waziristan intelligence-based operation, and the military has carried out a string of similar strikes in the merged districts this month.
KP has witnessed terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time. The province, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August compared with 36 in July, a rise of 50 per cent, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.
Frequently asked questions
What did PM Shehbaz Sharif say about terrorism in KP?
The prime minister said rising terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa “must be stopped” at any cost. He also said it was the government’s desire that KP develop like other parts of the country and praised the sacrifices of the province’s people against terrorism.
Who did the prime minister meet?
He met Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam in Islamabad. The two also discussed matters related to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
What was discussed about AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan?
Muqam briefed the prime minister on ongoing matters and progress in both regions. The prime minister directed that effective measures continue for the welfare, development and basic facilities of their people, calling their development a government priority.
How serious is the terrorism situation in KP?
The province recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August against 36 in July, a 50 per cent rise, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. Security forces have responded with a string of intelligence-based operations, including several in North Waziristan this month.
