PM criticises PTI's 13-year rule in K-P, urges PML-N leadership to prioritise public welfare projects

Says K-P have made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) 13-year rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), saying the province’s residents had suffered years of developmental neglect, and urged the provincial leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to prioritise short-term public welfare projects.

Addressing the PML-N parliamentary party meeting at Parliament House in Islamabad, the prime minister said the people, police, armed forces, and political leadership had made unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terrorism in K-P.

“Pakistan suffered enormous human and economic losses in the war against terrorism,” he said, recalling that the entire nation and state institutions had joined hands during former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's tenure to eliminate the menace.

Two days ago, the Ministry of Interior told the National Assembly that security forces neutralised 2,410 terrorists during 5,143 intelligence-based operations in the first nine months of 2026.

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Reminiscing about the Army Public School (APS) tragedy in Peshawar, PM Shehbaz said the horrific incident remains fresh in the nation's memory. The martyrdom of innocent children, he added, would remain one of the darkest chapters of the past.

He said the sacrifices of the people of K-P, who had remained on the frontline of the fight against militancy, must never be overlooked.

While criticising PTI, the prime minister said political slogans and divisive politics had taken precedence over public service, while problems in Peshawar, Kohistan, Hazara and the southern districts remained unaddressed.

PM Shehbaz said the resurgence of terrorism had inflicted considerable damage on the country. He alleged that terrorists had been brought back from Afghanistan and resettled in Pakistan in 2019 and 2020.

Recalling the political developments of the past decade, he said the 2014 sit-in had led to the postponement of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan.

The premier added that the Chinese president eventually visited Pakistan in 2015 and signed several important agreements.

Moving on to the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, PM Shehbaz said that under it, an additional 1% of resources had been allocated to K-P.

He lamented that the province had received Rs800 billion under the award and yet no money was spent on strengthening K-P’s counterterrorism capabilities.

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He took to task the suspended PTI government, asking how many Safe City projects had been established in the province and why around 5,000 vacant police positions had not been filled.

“Available resources should have been utilised to equip the police with modern weapons and provide them with professional training,” he underscored.

PM Shehbaz was wary that the federal government had repeatedly called for collective efforts against terrorism, but its appeals had not received the desired response from the PTI-led government.

The prime minister once again defended the decision to impose governor's rule and an emergency in K-P, saying it had been taken in view of unavoidable circumstances.

He said efforts had been made to resolve the matter through negotiations, adding that committees representing the Pakistan Peoples Party and the PML-N had held discussions for 48 hours. However, approval of the agreed draft could not be secured, he stated.

The premier said a decision had become necessary to protect the people, the country, the economy and society, adding that any delay could have caused further damage to the province.

Relief measures

PM Shehbaz said the federal government had also taken measures to provide relief to citizens amid rising energy prices caused by international developments and the Gulf conflict. He said Rs75 billion had been allocated for a fuel subsidy scheme, which had benefited around 13 million people.

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He maintained that stabilising the economy remained a priority and that the political and military leadership had worked together to steer the country out of economic difficulties.

The prime minister vowed that the PML-N would continue working for the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of K-P.