KP records 3,767 terror incidents under Sohail Afridi’s government

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 3,767 terrorism-related incidents during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government under Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, resulting in the deaths of 1,149 people and injuries to 2,595 others, according to an official report.

The report stated that the casualties included 550 security personnel and 599 civilians. Among those injured were 1,704 security personnel and 891 civilians. The figures have emerged amid the ongoing debate over the federal government’s decision to impose emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province.

The report presents the deteriorating security situation as a key factor behind the federal intervention. It attributes some of the security challenges to alleged weaknesses in provincial governance, counterterrorism preparedness and coordination between provincial authorities and federal security institutions.

It also raises questions about the provincial government’s response to the growing threat of militancy. According to the report, the government should have given greater priority to strengthening law enforcement agencies, improving counterterrorism capabilities and restoring the writ of the state.

The report highlighted the political activities organised during the PTI-led government’s tenure. It stated that since the party assumed power in March 2024, the province had witnessed 18 major protest events, including four long marches, while militancy was increasing.

The assessment questioned whether the provincial administration had devoted sufficient attention to security challenges while remaining engaged in political confrontations with the federal government. It argued that stronger political support for counterterrorism efforts and closer coordination with federal authorities were necessary to address the worsening situation.

The report also identified significant operational and equipment-related shortcomings within the provincial police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). These included shortages of modern weapons, armoured vehicles, surveillance equipment, specialised training and technically skilled personnel.

Other gaps reportedly involved forensic capabilities and dedicated infrastructure for the CTD. The report maintained that these deficiencies had weakened the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond effectively to militant threats.

It further noted that more than Rs800 billion had been provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2010 and 2026 to support counterterrorism efforts and strengthen security institutions. However, the report questioned why substantial funding had not translated into adequate operational preparedness and institutional capacity.

The assessment also linked the resurgence of militancy, in part, to the PTI government’s policy of reconciliation with militants in 2021. It alleged that the provincial administration had provided limited political support for counterterrorism operations and had repeatedly opposed security operations.

These claims place the provincial government’s security policies under scrutiny. However, the report’s allegations and assessment represent the stated position of the official review and do not, by themselves, establish that provincial decisions were solely responsible for the increase in militant violence.

The report also examined Pakistan’s wider security situation. It referred to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, published by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace, which ranked Pakistan as the country most affected by terrorism.

According to the assessment, the scale of the security crisis required stronger leadership from the provincial government, improved counterterrorism capabilities and more effective cooperation between provincial and federal security agencies.

The report’s findings have added to the political debate surrounding the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal government has cited the worsening law and order situation and alleged weaknesses in counterterrorism coordination to justify its intervention.

The PTI-led provincial administration’s handling of militancy has consequently become a central issue in the dispute between the Centre and the opposition. The security figures and institutional shortcomings highlighted in the report are likely to remain part of the debate over responsibility for the province’s deteriorating security situation and the constitutional measures introduced by the federal government.