By Shahzad Masood Roomi
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province in Pakistan has been facing serious security challenges for many years, which have created significant issues for both provincial and national security.
KP has been a victim of terrorism for many years, and the situation has only worsened in recent times. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), the number of terrorism-linked incidents rose sharply from 168 in 2021 to 225 in 2022, the highest since 2015, when there were 278 incidents. The number of major incidents (each involving three or more killings) increased from 41 in 2021 to 56 in 2022, the highest since 2013, when there were 72 such incidents. Of the 38 districts in KP, 16 recorded terrorism-related violence. The Taliban and other extremist groups have been responsible for most of these attacks. These groups have been able to establish a strong presence in the province and carry out attacks with ease.
The most alarming aspect of the current KP security profile is that since 2022, a trend of more security forces fatalities than insurgents/terrorists is being witnessed. In 2022, 206 security personnel (mostly police) were killed along with 52 civilians, while only 140 terrorists were eliminated by security forces. Many security forces lost their lives during Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) which were supposed to give the security forces the advantage of the element of surprise. Still, these statistics show that there are serious problems in intelligence gathering or execution of operations.
Another major security challenge in KP is the law and order situation. The province has been plagued by crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, and extortion. In 2022, there were more than 5000 cases of kidnapping and abduction across Pakistan, and most of these were linked to criminals operating from either KP or Afghan areas adjacent to the Pak-Afghan border across KP. Due to various structural and resource issues, the police force in the province has been unable to maintain law and order effectively, leading to a rise in criminal activities.
The spill-over of Afghan refugees has also contributed to the security challenges in KP. The province has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for many years. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there were 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan in 2019, and in 2022, there was no major change in this number as the process of Afghan refugee repatriation remains suspended in practical terms. The presence of these refugees has put a strain on the province’s already limited resources. The refugees have also been involved in criminal activities, and some of them have been associated with extremist groups. The presence of these refugees has made it difficult for the government to maintain law and order in the province.
Before any solution can be implemented at the provincial level, it is critical for Islamabad to chart a long-term national policy on negotiations with terrorism. In 2021, Pakistan initiated a process of dialogue with TTP, and in 2022, the country witnessed an unprecedented surge in terrorism. Islamabad needs a long-term anti-terrorism national policy where negotiation with terrorists must take place under only one condition: surrendering to the state. Any negotiation below this threshold will always create a security nightmare at the provincial and national level.
At the provincial level, the first step should be to improve the law enforcement agencies in the province. The police force should be provided with better training and equipment to deal with the security situation. Essentially, there must be counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency elements in KP police training. The government should also increase the number of police personnel in the province to improve the law and order situation.
Finally, the government should take measures to address the issue of Afghan refugees. The refugees should be registered, and their movement should be monitored closely. The government should also work with the Afghan government to create conditions that will allow the refugees to return to their homes safely.
In conclusion, the security challenges in KP are serious and require urgent attention from the government. By improving law and order, targeting and eliminating extremist groups, and addressing the issue of Afghan refugees, the government can improve the security situation in the province and bring peace and stability to the region. All these actions require a long-term political commitment followed by a long-term anti-terrorism national policy with zero tolerance for those who are involved in spilling the blood of Pakistanis. KP has ample potential for attracting foreign investment in tourism and hospitality sectors, but the law and order situation in the province remains the ultimate hindrance. Stability is the first step towards economic stability, and this must be the cornerstone of future action across the country.
