ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders on Friday expressed serious concern over rising terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), urging the provincial setup to prioritise public safety, restore peace and fulfil its responsibilities towards the people.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament House on Friday, PPP Central Spokesperson Shazia Marri, Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri, MNA Fatahullah Khan and party leader Akhunzada Chattan criticized previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inaf (PTI) government’s handling of the security situation.
The PPP leaders stressed that the people of KP had suffered greatly and deserved peace, security and better public services. They urged elected representatives to answer for their performance and work together to address the province’s security crisis.
Shazia Marri said innocent people were being killed in terrorist attacks and even urban centres such as Peshawar were no longer safe. She questioned what the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led previous provincial government had done over the past 13 years to counter terrorism and improve public services.
She said that protecting lives and property was the government’s primary responsibility, along with providing education, healthcare, roads, electricity and water. She urged the new setup to focus on security in Malakand Division, Bajaur and Peshawar rather than political activities and visits to other provinces.
Marri also questioned the decisions to grant broad amnesty to militants and facilitate the return of thousands of people, saying the consequences had contributed to renewed security challenges. She called for cooperation between the provincial and federal governments and said counterterrorism measures should aim to protect citizens and remain within the Constitution.
PPP leader Akhunzada Chattan said terrorism had severely disrupted daily life in Bajaur, making it difficult for residents and political leaders to attend funerals and weddings.
He claimed that Pakistan had again been pushed into a difficult fight against terrorism following political changes in Afghanistan, as militant groups had joined forces.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026