K-P CM vows stronger action against terror

Sohail Afridi meets families of Swat martyrs, expresses heartfelt condolences

SWAT:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has directed the relevant institutions to deploy all available resources to strengthen security, intensify operations against terrorist elements and enhance measures for the protection of the public.

The CM issued these instructions on Monday while chairing a meeting during his visit to Swat district where a suicide attack a day earlier left at least 15 people six policemen—including dead.

During the visit, Afridi met the families of the martyred, offered Fateha for the departed souls and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He also visited Saidu Teaching Hospital, where he inquired after police personnel and civilians injured in the blast.

Later chairing a high-level meeting, the CM reiterated that safeguarding the lives and property of citizens remained the government's foremost responsibility. He made it clear that no negligence or complacency in this regard would be tolerated.

Speaking to journalists during the visit, Afridi said since assuming office, his government had consistently strengthened the operational capacity of the K-P Police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) by providing modern weaponry and other critical resources.

He said the institutions remain at the forefront of efforts to establish and maintain peace.

He said more than Rs35 billion had already been provided to enhance the capacity and infrastructure of the police and CTD, while an additional Rs20 billion had been earmarked for the two institutions in the current provincial budget.

The chief minister reaffirmed that the provincial government remained fully committed to restoring lasting peace, stressing that sustainable development could not be achieved without security.

Referring to the Swat incident, concerns regarding the situation in Buner and the incident in Hangu, Afridi said these developments reflected serious lapses

Warning that the security situation was becoming increasingly dangerous, the chief minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts to address the province's security challenges.