Islamabad, February 6: Political tensions are intensifying in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi clash amid a growing threat of terrorism in this sensitive region. A recent report highlights these escalating conflicts.
Afridi recently reviewed the Safe Cities Project, but Kundi accused him of neglecting security responsibilities and inciting violence through protests. According to a report published by the Afghan Diaspora Network, Pakistan’s Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has also criticized Afridi, particularly questioning his remarks regarding the use of Afghan territory by terrorists. This reflects the widening rift between federal and provincial governments at a time when terrorist attacks are on the rise.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has chaired high-level meetings to implement the Safe Cities initiative in Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat. Officials reported that surveillance cameras have been installed at key locations—711 in Peshawar, 88 in Dera Ismail Khan, 76 in Bannu, and 47 in Lakki Marwat.
He directed the phased expansion of this initiative to other areas and merged districts such as Tank, North Waziristan, and Karak. This initiative aims to strengthen surveillance systems, prevent crime, and enhance police capabilities through command centers, which are seen as a cornerstone for provincial stability.
However, Governor Kundi dismissed these efforts as distractions from real threats. In a press conference, he sharply criticized Afridi for leading political rallies elsewhere while law and order deteriorates.
Independent journalist Shinwari, who reported for the Afghan Diaspora Network, noted Kundi’s reference to daily attacks targeting police, soldiers, and government officials. He specifically mentioned the deaths of seven police officers in an IED attack on a police vehicle in Tank district and the increase in attacks in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu.
Kundi urged the provincial government to accelerate military operations, enhance the capabilities of police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and train levy forces in merged areas. He raised concerns about incidents of explosives being dropped via drones, pointing to an Afghan connection without mincing words.
The governor called for unity with federal institutions, urging leaders to prioritize stability over political rallies, warning that such distractions could promote Talibanization.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticized Afridi’s statements regarding Afghan territory, asserting that such remarks strengthen the narrative of terrorists. He also accused Afridi of downplaying threats posed by organizations like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Kundi emphasized the need for collaboration between federal and provincial governments to stabilize Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of failing in health, education, and infrastructure sectors.
Statistics related to terrorism underscore the severity of the crisis. In 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 702 terrorist incidents, resulting in 1,363 deaths, including 288 civilians, 421 security personnel, and 654 terrorists. This marks a 44.84% increase compared to 941 deaths in 2023, as reported by the Afghan Diaspora Network.
The situation worsened in 2025, with the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) recording 1,588 cases, over 500 attacks, and 510 targeted assaults on police. During this period, security forces killed 420 terrorists and arrested 1,244 suspects. Nevertheless, districts like Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, and Peshawar continued to face relentless attacks, many of which were linked to TTP operations from bases across the Afghan border.