Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called for greater political commitment to combating terrorism, saying insufficient support for security forces has weakened previous counterterrorism efforts in the province.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday during a briefing at Governor House, Kundi stressed the need to strengthen the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) as officials presented a security improvement plan involving proposed allocations totalling Rs70.1 billion.
The plan includes Rs59.8 billion for the police and Rs10.3 billion for the CTD, with funding intended to improve infrastructure, modernise equipment, strengthen surveillance capabilities and address personnel shortages.
“The first, second and third priority of this government is security,” Kundi said, echoing remarks previously made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a cabinet meeting.
“Development is also necessary, but the best development is to strengthen our police.”
The proposals were outlined by Adviser for Home and Tribal Affairs Kifayatullah Khan and Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, who detailed measures aimed at improving operational readiness and expanding the security agencies’ presence across the province.
Officials said the initial phase of the plan would be implemented within 100 days, followed by additional targets to be completed within 180 days.
Kundi pledged that police personnel would receive the weapons, ammunition and other resources necessary to perform their duties effectively.
He also said compensation packages had been approved for officers killed in the line of duty, while efforts were underway to improve additional benefits for police personnel.
Addressing the political dimensions of counterterrorism, the governor acknowledged that previous security operations had suffered from inadequate political ownership.
“There was a time when the response was that this was not our war,” he said.
“But when a family loses a martyr, what do you think they would say? Did their loved one sacrifice their life for this soil, for this country, or for some particular agenda?”
Kundi maintained that political leadership must stand alongside security personnel and recognise the sacrifices made by officers confronting militant violence.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the police are adequately equipped and supported to lead frontline counterterrorism operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.