Shehbaz summons top brass to review KP security

Shehbaz chairs apex committee meeting to review KP security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the Apex Committee at Governor House in Peshawar on Thursday to assess the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and review ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.

According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, the meeting was attended by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, federal and provincial ministers, senior military leadership and relevant government officials.

The participants reviewed the province’s law and order situation and discussed measures to strengthen counterterrorism efforts. The meeting came amid continuing security challenges and tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The visit marked Shehbaz’s first trip to Peshawar since the federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in KP on October 11, suspending the PTI-led provincial administration.

The Centre invoked Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, citing worsening security conditions, rising militant attacks and what it described as a lack of effective cooperation from the provincial government in counterterrorism operations.

Under the new arrangement, executive authority was transferred to Governor Kundi, who is being assisted by an advisory council. Emergency measures were also introduced in 12 districts. The PTI rejected the federal government’s justification and opposed the constitutional intervention.

The decision followed weeks of disagreements between Islamabad and the former provincial administration over security policy and the need for a coordinated response to militancy. Negotiations between the two sides failed to produce an agreement on a joint counterterrorism strategy.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi previously said the federal government had made repeated efforts to secure the provincial government’s cooperation before imposing the measures. Prime Minister Shehbaz also maintained that the government had been left with no alternative after the negotiations failed.

An earlier Apex Committee meeting was held at Governor House on October 12, a day after governor’s rule was imposed. Governor Kundi and Interior Minister Naqvi jointly chaired that meeting, which focused on security arrangements and counterterrorism operations.

Participants agreed to strengthen the provincial police and Counter Terrorism Department by providing additional equipment, vehicles, weapons and personnel. The forum also stressed coordinated action among relevant institutions to improve law and order and restore lasting peace in the province.

Thursday’s meeting provided another opportunity for federal and provincial authorities, security officials and military leadership to assess the challenges facing KP and review measures aimed at improving security.