Peshawar (Zahid Usman) The number of terrorists in Afghanistan is estimated to be around 24,000, while up to 18,000 terrorists are believed to be operating within Pakistan, revealed Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.
Addressing foreign media at the Chief Minister’s House on Sunday, Gandapur stressed that negotiations with Afghanistan are the only way to resolve ongoing issues. He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bears the brunt of these problems due to its long shared border with Afghanistan. He noted that the federal government has finally acknowledged the importance of engaging in dialogue with Afghanistan. However, he criticized the federal authorities for failing to take serious and practical steps despite recognizing the need for talks.
The Chief Minister highlighted the success of recent operations in the region, mentioning that several key terrorist commanders have been eliminated over the past month. This, he said, has significantly improved the security situation.
He also criticized Punjab’s lack of acknowledgment for sacrifices made by others, stating that these efforts have brought peace to the province. Gandapur underlined the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s police and security forces, who have given their lives to ensure peace and stability.
However, he accused the current government of worsening the security situation by diverting institutional focus to targeting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Despite this, he praised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for maintaining better performance in the fight against terrorism compared to other provinces.
On the province’s development efforts, Gandapur shared that the KP government is building its own power transmission lines to distribute electricity from local power plants. He called this initiative crucial for the province’s growth and self-sufficiency.
The Chief Minister also expressed concerns over missing PTI workers. He revealed that 68 workers had sustained bullet injuries and alleged that peaceful protesters were met with direct gunfire. Gandapur demanded the release of Imran Khan and the restoration of the stolen mandate. He further claimed that Punjab police officials detained by PTI were safely handed back.
“No one else has made as many sacrifices for democracy and true freedom as we have,” Gandapur asserted.
