The Escalating Crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a region that has long been marked by cycles of violence and militarization, is once again facing a deepening crisis. In recent months, the province has witnessed a sharp increase in attacks targeting police, security forces, political leaders, tribal elders, and even ordinary civilians. Districts such as North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Tank, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan have seen frequent ambushes, suicide bombings, and targeted killings. Even areas like Swat, which were once considered symbols of successful de-radicalization, are showing signs of militant resurgence. Settled districts such as Mardan, Peshawar, and Kohat have not been spared either.
This return of terrorism is particularly alarming given the decade-long military operations—Rah-e-Rast, Rah-e-Nijat, Zarb-e-Azb, and Radd-ul-Fasaad—that were aimed at eliminating terrorist strongholds and dismantling their networks. Billions of dollars were spent, thousands of civilians were displaced, and countless lives were lost. Despite these efforts, KP appears to be sliding back into a familiar nightmare.
Public Frustration and Demand for Accountability
The growing public frustration in KP is evident. From protest marches in Waziristan and Bajaur to sit-ins in Dir and Swat, people are taking to the streets to demand answers. Tribal elders, youth, and civil society members are questioning the effectiveness of repeated military operations that have failed to secure lasting peace. Many ask: if the terrorists were truly “eliminated,” why are they returning? If peace had been restored, why are people still being buried?
A particularly tragic example was the killing of Maulana Khan Zeb in Bajaur, a respected religious scholar and peace advocate who had consistently spoken out against militancy. His murder sent a chilling message to others who dare to raise their voices for peace. His death has shaken the entire region and exposed the vulnerability of those who believe in democratic ideals and peaceful coexistence.
A Deepening Trust Deficit
There is a deep and dangerous trust deficit between the state and the people of KP. Many residents feel they are caught in a war they did not start, paying the heaviest price. They see themselves as expendable pawns in a larger geopolitical game where peace is temporary and security is selective. What adds to their despair is the lack of accountability, transparency, and genuine engagement with the communities most affected.
Every few years, security forces and officials declare victory over terrorism. Yet, on the ground, the reality remains unchanged or worsens. The return of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its splinter groups, the re-emergence of shadowy militant networks, and the continued flow of weapons and fighters from across the border all point to a fundamental failure in strategy. Rather than addressing the ideological and logistical infrastructure of militancy, the state’s approach has often focused on short-term gains. Military operations, while necessary, have not been complemented by meaningful political, legal, and socioeconomic reforms.
Governance Failures and Political Disconnect
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which ruled the province uninterrupted for over twelve years, has struggled to formulate or implement an effective security and governance strategy. While the party claimed credit for police reforms and improved governance, the lived reality for citizens, especially in tribal districts and conflict-prone southern areas, tells a different story. The PTI largely relied on federal forces to manage security without building sustainable mechanisms to prevent militant resurgence. It failed to strengthen civilian oversight, ensure timely political integration of merged areas, or provide consistent development to vulnerable communities.
This prolonged governance vacuum allowed non-state actors to quietly re-establish influence in areas that had only recently been declared cleared. The PTI’s disconnect from evolving realities, its centralized decision-making, and reliance on rhetoric over action contributed to the slow unraveling of gains made at great human and financial cost.
Regional and International Dynamics
In areas like the merged districts of former FATA, the absence of functional governance, slow judicial integration, and lack of economic opportunity have created a vacuum easily exploited by extremist elements. The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021 has emboldened militant groups, particularly the TTP, which has intensified its terror campaign in the region. Islamabad’s initial strategy of engagement with the TTP through Afghan intermediaries backfired, allowing militants time to regroup and expand. The lack of a coherent counterterrorism policy has further added to the confusion.
National Silence and Disconnection
One of the most troubling aspects of the rising militancy in KP is the lack of national discourse around it. Mainstream media often downplays the violence, offering only perfunctory coverage of bombings and killings. National political leaders rarely visit affected regions or speak up about the crisis. This silence is both deliberate and dangerous. The people of KP feel isolated in their suffering. When they speak out, they are labeled as “unpatriotic” or “anti-state.” Civil society activists, journalists, and local leaders who demand accountability face harassment, threats, and in some cases, forced disappearances.
Pathways to Sustainable Peace
What KP needs today is not another round of hollow military triumphalism, but a serious, inclusive, and transparent conversation on how to achieve sustainable peace. This must begin with acknowledging past mistakes and recognizing that force alone cannot win hearts and minds. There is an urgent need to rebuild public trust by engaging local communities in peacebuilding efforts. Governance and service delivery must be improved in the merged districts. Education, health, justice, and economic opportunity must be prioritized over symbolic development.
Counterterrorism strategies must be revised to focus on intelligence-based operations and ideological de-radicalization. A new national consensus on terrorism must be forged, free from political expediency. Transparency and accountability in all security-related matters must be ensured. The public has a right to know what is happening in their towns and villages and who is responsible when things go wrong.
A National Emergency
The rising militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not just a local crisis—it is a national emergency. If left unaddressed, it threatens to undo years of hard-won progress and may plunge the country back into an era of fear and fragmentation. More importantly, it will be yet another betrayal of the people of KP, who have suffered silently, resisted valiantly, and hoped desperately for a better tomorrow.
