Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed that the federal government has allocated over Rs700 billion to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since 2010 to support the province in its fight against terrorism. Speaking at a high-level jirga in Peshawar, the Prime Minister vowed that these funds will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated.
He emphasized the importance of modernising the KP police force and establishing a new, well-equipped force to confront evolving security challenges. “This is not just financial support, this is our collective resolve to defeat terrorism,” he stated.
The jirga was attended by key national and provincial figures, including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, tribal elders, and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies.
Referring to the 2010 NFC Award, PM Shehbaz recalled that the first agenda item was counter-terrorism in KP. “All provinces agreed unanimously to allocate 1% of the divisible pool to KP for its front-line role in the war on terror,” he said.
Highlighting KP’s sacrifices, Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the resilience of its people. “From the APS tragedy to countless other attacks, KP has stood firm. The nation salutes the bravery of its people who have kept the green crescent flag flying high,” he added.
The Prime Minister also honoured the role of tribal elders, calling them proud patriots who supported Pakistan during the 1947 referendum and stood by the country in its most difficult times.
Switching to regional tensions, PM Shehbaz accused India of aggression and warned against any future misadventures. “India attacked our civilians, and our forces, under the leadership of the Field Marshal, gave them a lesson they won’t forget. Modi is licking his wounds,” he said. He also warned of a strong response to any further threats, including India’s water blockade rhetoric.
He concluded by expressing hope that Pakistan would rise not just militarily but also economically. “We are a great nation, and our victory against India was celebrated by friendly countries. The prayers of our people and the support for our armed forces brought us success by the grace of Allah.”
