An official report assessing the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has revealed alarming figures, documenting 3,767 terrorism-related incidents, 1,149 deaths and 2,595 injuries during the tenure of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The findings have intensified scrutiny of the provincial government’s counter-terrorism strategy, law-enforcement preparedness and coordination with federal security institutions, against the backdrop of discussions surrounding emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province.
According to the report, the human cost of the deteriorating security situation has been substantial. Among those killed were 550 personnel of the security forces and law-enforcement agencies and 599 civilians. The injured included 1,704 security and law-enforcement personnel and 891 civilians. These figures underscore the severe pressure on the province’s security apparatus and the continuing threat to the lives of both those responsible for maintaining law and order and ordinary citizens.
The report presents these figures as a central element of its assessment of the province’s security challenges, raising questions about the effectiveness of provincial governance, the operational readiness of law-enforcement agencies and the level of institutional coordination required to counter the resurgence of militancy.
According to the assessment, the provincial government’s handling of the worsening security environment has come under scrutiny, particularly concerning its counter-terrorism priorities and engagement with the federal government. The report argues that the escalating threat required sustained political attention, stronger institutional leadership and a more focused approach to strengthening the provincial police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). It maintains that the restoration of the state’s writ, improvement of operational capabilities and effective implementation of counter-terrorism measures should have remained among the government’s foremost priorities.
The assessment also raises concerns over the provincial government’s political engagement with the federal government during a period of mounting security challenges. It states that the PTI-led provincial administration organised 18 major protest activities, including four long marches, while militancy was escalating across the province. The report presents this political activity as part of a broader debate over the government’s priorities, arguing that the prevailing security situation demanded greater attention to institutional preparedness, public safety and the strengthening of law-enforcement capabilities.
One of the report’s most significant observations concerns the reported deficiencies in the equipment, training and operational infrastructure of provincial law-enforcement agencies, despite more than Rs800 billion having been provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2010 and 2026 for counter-terrorism and strengthening security institutions. According to the report, shortcomings persist in several critical areas, including modern weaponry, armoured vehicles, surveillance systems, specialised training, technical manpower, forensic capabilities and dedicated infrastructure for the Counter Terrorism Department.
These reported deficiencies raise important questions about resource utilisation, institutional development and the effectiveness of investments intended to strengthen the province’s capacity to confront terrorism. The report argues that financial allocations alone cannot deliver the desired security outcomes without effective planning, transparent utilisation of resources, sustained institutional reforms and the development of professional capabilities within law-enforcement agencies. It further emphasises the need to equip the provincial police and CTD with modern technology, specialised personnel and the infrastructure required to investigate terrorist networks, gather actionable intelligence and respond effectively to evolving security threats.
The report also links the resurgence of militancy, in part, to the PTI government’s reconciliation policy towards militants in 2021. It raises concerns about the long-term implications of that policy and alleges that the provincial government subsequently demonstrated limited political ownership of counter-terrorism efforts while expressing opposition to certain security operations. These assertions form part of the report’s broader assessment of the policy decisions and institutional approaches that may have contributed to the province’s present security challenges.
The assessment highlights the importance of a coherent and consistent counter-terrorism framework, arguing that efforts to address militancy require clear political direction, effective intelligence-sharing, operational preparedness and close coordination among all relevant state institutions. It also underscores the need for policies that prioritise public safety, prevent the re-emergence of militant networks and ensure that gains achieved through security operations are sustained over the long term.
The report’s findings come amid wider concerns over Pakistan’s national security environment. It cites the country’s position in the Global Terrorism Index 2026, published by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace, as part of the broader context in which the province’s security challenges must be understood. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s geographical position and exposure to cross-border militant activity make the effectiveness of its provincial security institutions particularly important to the country’s wider counter-terrorism framework. Persistent instability places pressure on law-enforcement agencies, disrupts normal life and creates serious challenges for governance, economic activity and public confidence.
The report maintains that the scale of the threat requires a comprehensive response that goes beyond isolated operations or short-term security measures. It calls attention to the importance of sustained institutional capacity, effective governance, improved operational readiness and stronger coordination between provincial and federal authorities.
The assessment identifies stronger provincial leadership, improved law-enforcement capabilities and closer cooperation between provincial and federal security institutions as essential elements of an effective response to the deteriorating situation. It argues that the provincial police and CTD must be provided with the necessary equipment, technical expertise, training and institutional support to confront evolving terrorist threats. It also highlights the importance of intelligence-led operations, coordinated planning and the consistent implementation of counter-terrorism policies.
At the same time, the report’s findings place renewed emphasis on accountability for the use of public funds allocated to security institutions and on evaluating whether those resources have translated into measurable improvements in operational capacity. The scale of the reported casualties also highlights the human dimension of the crisis. The loss of security personnel and civilians, alongside thousands of reported injuries, reinforces the need for a sustained and coordinated strategy aimed at protecting lives, preventing further attacks and restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to maintain peace.
The figures and findings presented in the official report have added a significant dimension to the debate over governance and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly amid discussions concerning the federal government’s decision to pursue emergency measures in the province. While the report presents the provincial government’s handling of security as a central concern, its allegations and conclusions remain part of the wider political and institutional debate surrounding responsibility for the deteriorating situation.
Ultimately, the challenge confronting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa extends beyond political differences. Addressing the threat requires effective governance, properly equipped law-enforcement agencies, sustained counter-terrorism preparedness and constructive coordination between all relevant state institutions. The reported figures 3,767 terrorism incidents, 1,149 deaths and 2,595 injuries underline the urgency of the situation and the need for a credible, coordinated and results-oriented response that places the protection of citizens and the restoration of lasting peace at the forefront of provincial priorities.
