Shehbaz Sharif Calls Lasting Peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a National Imperative

Peshawar: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the establishment of lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become unavoidable, stressing that national security remains the government’s top priority.

Addressing participants of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Security Workshop, the prime minister said the province has made unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He added that the government is taking concrete steps to further improve law and order in the province, emphasizing that sustainable peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is now essential.

He said the government has adopted a comprehensive strategy to address both internal and external security challenges, noting that the sacrifices made by security forces in the fight against terrorism are commendable. The prime minister said the state is fully determined to eradicate terrorism from its roots and that unity is required to confront the threat.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan’s development cannot be limited to one province, adding that progress in Punjab alone does not constitute national development. He stressed that the country will only move forward when all provinces develop simultaneously.

He said Punjab had allocated Rs100 billion from its own share for Balochistan, while the federal government is financing the construction of a major road in the province. He added that the federal government has also provided Rs40 billion for solar tube wells in Balochistan.

The prime minister said other provinces contributed Rs800 billion from their shares to help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa combat terrorism. He recalled that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa voted in favor of Pakistan during the referendum and said terrorism increased after the PTI government resettled militants in 2018. He added that the state would not rest until militants inside and outside Pakistan are eliminated.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan achieved success in the war against India under the leadership of the field marshal, claiming that seven Indian aircraft were shot down in last year’s conflict. He said the Pakistani passport is now viewed with respect internationally, adding that the country is moving rapidly toward economic growth and that Pakistan’s economy is becoming increasingly stronger, enhancing its global standing.

The prime minister said Pakistan hosted four million Afghan refugees, adding that Afghanistan must decide whether it wants to live peacefully. He urged the Afghan interim government to show mercy toward its people and said protecting youth from extremism and guiding them toward a positive path is an urgent need.

He also said he had called the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to congratulate him on assuming office, adding that the chief minister thanked him, but no further contact was made afterward.