Rs160 billion package for KP announced as civil-military leaders vow to end terrorism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Rs160 billion package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, as Pakistan's civil and military leadership vowed to eliminate terrorism. The funding will support security, public services and development, the Prime Minister's Office said.

What is the Rs160 billion package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

The Rs160 billion ($570 million) federal package will be provided under the "Badalta, Nikharta, Mazboot KP" program, the Prime Minister's Office said after separate meetings of the Federal Apex Committee and the Area Representative and Development Council in Peshawar. It covers security operations, improved public services and development in the province. Advisor to Governor Maulana Tayyab Qureshi told Nukta it includes modern equipment for police and security forces.

How will the package be spent?

Qureshi, who attended the meeting, said the money will go to security, health and education. Funds will also be spent on development projects in 12 designated districts of the province, he said.

The Prime Minister's Office said the package follows the imposition of emergency rule and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sharif pledged continued federal support for initiatives to improve public welfare, create economic opportunities and address residents' concerns.

What did the Apex Committee decide on terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

Officials reviewed the province's security situation and ongoing counterterrorism operations during a three-hour meeting. The committee also reviewed governance, with discussions focused on institutional accountability, transparency, reforms and improving services in departments that directly affect public welfare. It called for urgent measures on longstanding governance challenges, particularly in the merged districts and other areas affected by terrorism.

The committee reaffirmed the country's resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and dismantle militant networks, their facilitators and support infrastructure. It described counterterrorism as a shared national responsibility requiring coordination among state institutions, intelligence-sharing and effective security measures. Participants paid tribute to security forces, law enforcement personnel and others killed in the fight against terrorism.

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Participants also discussed strengthening the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, the Counter Terrorism Department and other agencies through professional training, modern equipment, improved infrastructure and stronger intelligence. The committee said a professional and well-equipped law enforcement system was essential to protecting citizens and ensuring the state's authority throughout the province.

Who attended the Apex Committee meeting in Peshawar?

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and COAS and CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir attended, along with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar were also present.

Other participants included Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Minister Amir Muqam, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Power Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Laghari, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Prime Minister's adviser Rana Sanaullah Khan. The provincial chief secretary, inspector general of police, Peshawar corps commander, heads of law enforcement agencies and provincial advisers also attended.

The provincial police chief and Naqvi briefed participants on security arrangements and the facilities available to law enforcement agencies.

What did Shehbaz Sharif say about terrorism and sacrifices?

"The whole nation is indebted and proud of the contributions and sacrifices of the people of your areas," Sharif said. "Now is the time for a final and decisive effort to finish off the menace of terrorism, once and for all. Failure is not an option."

Sharif said the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's residents would not go in vain, and that lasting peace in the merged districts was a shared national responsibility. He said gains from counterterrorism operations must translate into tangible development, better public services and economic opportunities. National unity was essential to rejecting violence and extremism, he said, adding that intimidation and attacks would not weaken the determination of the state and the public.

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Addressing the meeting, Sharif said his visit came after the imposition of the current administrative system in the province, which he said had been introduced under compelling circumstances. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been severely affected by terrorism over the past several years. Peace had been restored six years ago through joint efforts by security forces, he recalled.

"Nearly 80,000 people lost their lives in this war, while the country suffered economic losses worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Peace was restored only after these sacrifices," he said.

The prime minister criticized the return of militants, saying it had undermined the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism. "Unfortunately, all these sacrifices were squandered, and terrorists were allowed back into the country. There can be no greater insensitivity, criminal negligence or act of hostility towards the country than this," he said.

What did Sharif say about federal funding and the provincial government?

Sharif said the federal government had provided 800 billion Pakistani rupees to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but terrorism had continued to escalate despite the substantial allocation. "What could be more unfortunate than this? Despite the provision of such substantial resources, terrorism has not been eliminated; instead, it has intensified," he said.

He alleged that the federal government had offered additional resources to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government to support development, but the offer had not led to meaningful action. Instead, he accused the party of engaging in activities hostile to the country. Questioning how the state should respond to what he described as anti-state activities by a political party, Sharif said such a situation was unacceptable.

The prime minister said stakeholders had worked together to stabilize Pakistan's economy and that international credit rating agencies had acknowledged the progress. "But if they have promoted terrorists, are we supposed to remain silent spectators? It's never acceptable," he said.

Sharif said governor's rule and a state of emergency had been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in response to prevailing circumstances. He said the new administration was now responsible for improving conditions in a province that, in his assessment, had endured 13 years of decline. "Together, we will steer the province back towards development and prosperity," he said.

What did Governor Kundi and the development council say about peace?

Kundi called for a coordinated strategy to restore and maintain peace, saying law and order remained the government's top priority. He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wanted peace and development and had rejected attempts to incite unrest. The governor stressed the need for decisive action against terrorism, saying all terrorist networks must be dismantled.

"Our goal is not merely to identify problems but to find lasting solutions," he said, underscoring the importance of coordination between the federal and provincial governments.

Members of the Area Representative and Development Council said sustainable peace and security were essential for economic progress and an improved quality of life. They reaffirmed their commitment to defeating terrorism, eliminating its roots and supporting security forces and law enforcement agencies. The committee also stressed coordinated efforts to expand education, health care, employment, investment and infrastructure, particularly in merged districts and other underserved areas.