A white paper on governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported a sharp increase in police casualties and terrorist attacks, alongside persistent shortages of personnel and equipment in the province’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), raising questions about the provincial government’s security strategy, institutional preparedness and management of public resources.
According to the document, 122 police personnel were martyred in the first half of 2026, compared with 63 during the same period in 2025, marking an increase of 93.7 percent.
The number of police personnel injured also more than doubled, rising to 175 in the first half of 2026 from 84 during the corresponding period last year, an increase of 108.3 percent.
The white paper further reported that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 680 terrorist attacks between January and September 2026, compared with 508 during the same period in 2025, representing a 33.9 percent increase.
The rising number of attacks and police casualties has brought renewed attention to the province’s counterterrorism preparedness, the availability of resources for law enforcement agencies and the implementation of security-related decisions.
CTD Equipment and Personnel Shortages
The white paper highlighted shortages of weapons, protective vehicles and specialized personnel in the CTD, the department responsible for investigating terrorist networks and supporting counterterrorism operations.
According to figures cited in the document, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had 17 bulletproof vehicles for its CTD, compared with 76 in Punjab and 42 in Balochistan.
The document also stated that, as of December 2025, the department had only nine M4 rifles against a requirement of 200, leaving it with just 4.5 percent of the required number.
Similarly, the CTD had 11 night-vision devices against a requirement of 35, meeting approximately 31.4 percent of its stated requirement.
The figures raise questions about the operational capacity of a department expected to confront heavily armed terrorist groups, particularly in areas facing persistent security threats.
The white paper also cited a December 2025 report showing that 3,113 personnel were serving against 3,844 sanctioned CTD positions, leaving approximately 19 percent of the posts vacant.
By June 2026, recruitment against 638 vacant field-operator positions had yet to be completed, according to the document.
The continued vacancies in specialized positions have raised concerns about delays in strengthening the department’s operational workforce.
Rs7.77 Billion Approved for CTD Equipment
The white paper reported that Rs7.77 billion had been approved for CTD equipment, with Rs7.05 billion released by June 2026, leaving a difference of Rs720 million between the approved and released amounts.
The document questioned the availability and operational use of equipment procured through the allocated funds, highlighting the need for details about procurement, distribution and deployment.
The reported figures have also brought attention to the gap between financial allocations and the equipment available to personnel operating in the field.
In July 2026, an injured police officer appealed for better weapons, according to the white paper, raising further questions about whether frontline personnel were receiving appropriate equipment in a timely manner.
Security Meetings and Continued Attacks
The document also questioned the provincial government’s response to the security situation, noting that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi chaired his first provincial Apex Committee meeting 112 days after assuming office.
It stated that terrorist attacks continued in Bannu, Tank, Hangu and Kohat following the committee’s commitments.
The white paper called for details of the implementation of the committee’s decisions and the results achieved through the measures announced.
The continued attacks have intensified scrutiny of the province’s security arrangements and the effectiveness of coordination between political leadership and law enforcement institutions.
Drug Seizures and Smuggling
The white paper also highlighted the scale of drug trafficking and smuggling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing seizures of narcotics and other contraband during 2026.
Police operations recovered 5,695 kilograms of hashish between January and March 2026.
During the same quarter, authorities also seized 847 kilograms of ice, 210 kilograms of heroin and 275 kilograms of opium, according to the document.
In September 2026, a consignment containing 960 kilograms of narcotics was seized in Peshawar, highlighting the scale of drug transportation through the provincial capital.
The document also referred to raids on two suspected synthetic-drug production facilities in Peshawar during September, emphasizing the need for investigations into local suppliers, financial backers and distribution networks.
It further cited a July 2026 Customs report stating that smuggled goods and vehicles worth Rs1.163 billion had been seized over a two-week period.
The white paper called attention to the need to pursue the organizers, financial backers and distribution networks behind large-scale drug trafficking and smuggling operations, rather than limiting enforcement efforts to seizures.
Crop Eradication Targets Remain Incomplete
The document also highlighted shortcomings in efforts to eliminate illicit crops.
According to budget records cited in the white paper, the annual target for eradicating poppy and cannabis cultivation was 250 kanals.
By April 2026, operations had been carried out on 130 kanals, representing 52 percent of the target.
The document stated that the prescribed target remained incomplete, raising questions about the pace and effectiveness of crop-eradication efforts.
Police Autonomy and Political Oversight
The white paper also raised concerns about proposed changes to the police command structure.
It stated that the provincial cabinet approved a new draft in September 2026 aimed at expanding political authority over police command, raising questions about the professional autonomy of the police force.
The document linked the debate over police governance to the broader challenges facing the province’s security institutions, including rising casualties, incomplete recruitment and continued terrorist attacks.
It called for a clear account of government spending, security measures and operational outcomes, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the resources allocated to law enforcement and the results achieved.
The reported figures present a broad picture of the challenges confronting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, spanning counterterrorism preparedness, police staffing, equipment shortages, drug trafficking, smuggling and institutional governance.
The white paper’s central concerns revolve around the gap between the province’s security requirements and the resources, personnel and measures reportedly available to address them.
