Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today underscored the critical link between the return of militants from Afghanistan and the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, calling it a “grave strategic error” that has contributed significantly to the country’s security challenges. Speaking at a national workshop in Islamabad, the Prime Minister addressed representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on issues of internal security, terrorism, national cohesion, regional developments, and developmental priorities.
Highlighting KP’s strategic importance, the Prime Minister lauded the province for its unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and recognized its people as patriotic and resilient. He emphasized that over the last four decades, KP has hosted nearly four million Afghan refugees, representing a significant humanitarian contribution to the nation.
On national security, PM Sharif stressed that it remains the government’s top priority, and a comprehensive strategy has been adopted to address both internal and external threats. Reflecting on the APS Peshawar tragedy, he reaffirmed the state’s policy that there is no distinction between “good” and “bad” Taliban and questioned the rationale behind the release of hundreds of militants from Swat, which he said contributed to the resurgence of terrorism.
“Bringing militants back from Afghanistan was a catastrophic mistake, and it has proven to be a major driver of the recent upsurge in terrorism,” the Prime Minister stated. He added that Pakistan’s goodwill was met with troubling responses from Afghanistan, while adversaries continued to exploit the situation against Pakistan.
PM Sharif highlighted the necessity of establishing sustainable peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, insisting that the nation will not rest until foreign militants are fully eliminated. He called for national unity in the fight against terrorism, emphasizing that collective action is essential to secure Pakistan’s future.
On development, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of equitable progress across all provinces, noting that the federal government has allocated significant funds to Balochistan for major road construction and solar panel initiatives for farmers. He underscored the federal support of PKR 100 billion from Punjab, contributing to a total of PKR 400 billion in development funds for the province.
Paying tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces, PM Sharif highlighted their role in the elimination of terrorist threats, citing that last year during military operations, seven Indian aircraft were downed, delivering a decisive message to adversaries. He noted that Pakistan is economically strengthening and that the country’s green passport now commands international respect.
Addressing Afghanistan, the Prime Minister criticized successive Afghan administrations for failing to appreciate Pakistan’s hospitality and for not curbing terrorism emanating from their territory. He reiterated the state’s determination to eradicate terrorism from its soil and posed the question: whether Afghanistan truly desires peace.
PM Sharif concluded by emphasizing that Pakistan’s anti-terrorism operations were a collective national decision, highlighting the support of groups like TTP and BLA by India, and urging the Afghan interim government to act responsibly toward its own citizens. He reaffirmed that the government is committed to national stability and development through public welfare initiatives, deploying all available resources to achieve these goals.
