Pakistan approves joint civilian-military strategy to tackle militancy in northwest

Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, along with the government of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have agreed on a coordinated strategy to counter militancy in the region, officials said, a move that also clears the way for Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket matches to be held in Peshawar for the first time in more than a decade.

The decisions were taken at a high-level security meeting held at the Pakistan Army’s Corps Headquarters in Peshawar to review the province’s overall law and order situation.

The meeting was attended by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Commander Peshawar Lt. Gen. Omar Ahmed Bokhari, and senior civil and military officials.

An official statement from the provincial chief minister’s office said the participants agreed that PSL matches scheduled for this year would be staged in Peshawar, marking the league’s first appearance in the city since its launch 11 years ago.

Officials described the move as a step toward restoring public confidence and normalcy, and as laying the groundwork for the return of international players to the city nearly two decades after the last international match there, between Pakistan and India in 2006.

Beyond sporting events, the meeting focused on security coordination between the federal and provincial governments. Officials agreed to adopt a unified policy approach to counter terrorism, while also expanding employment and development initiatives aimed at reducing extremist recruitment among young people.

Participants also endorsed stricter enforcement measures against illegal activities, including the use of unauthorized SIM cards, explosives and extortion networks. Authorities will also accelerate the phased profiling of non-customs-paid vehicles, which officials say are frequently linked to criminal and militant activity.

The meeting further agreed to immediately implement the provincial government’s administrative governance model in Malakand Division under the supervision of provincial police and relevant institutions. The framework will later be extended, in phases, to other conflict-affected districts, including Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram.

To ensure oversight, officials decided to form a special sub-committee chaired by the chief minister to monitor development projects and review security operations in the affected areas. The body will also focus on creating alternative livelihood opportunities and improving arrangements for temporarily displaced residents.

Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam said political and religious parties, along with tribal elders, would be consulted to build consensus. Recommendations emerging from those consultations would be implemented jointly by civilian and military authorities and finalized ahead of the next meeting of Pakistan’s National Apex Committee, he added.