A GRAND jirga of elders and politicians organised in Lower Dir last week, which demanded that the state take action against militants, reflects the anxiety many local communities feel regarding the resurgence of terrorism in parts of KP. The event, which featured representatives from across Malakand, is only the latest in a series of rallies and protests held in various areas of KP against the rising militant threat over the last few months. Members of the jirga expressed concerns over acts of terrorism, extortion and lawlessness over the last five months in Malakand, and called upon the state to “deal with militants with an iron hand”. The jirga participants were also critical of the recent statement by the KP government spokesman, who had said that the TTP were not behind the upsurge in violence.

While the banned TTP had in September called off the ‘indefinite’ ceasefire it had announced earlier this year, observers are of the view that the truce is still holding, though in a tenuous fashion. Yet it is also true that talks between the state and the militant outfit have stalled. Therefore, the anxiety of the people of KP is tangible, and justified. The acts of violence that have occurred in parts of the province may just be a ‘trailer’, for the nation has already witnessed the TTP’s brutal bloodletting earlier. Therefore, the state needs to take action before the group, or other violent actors, re-establish a foothold in Malakand or other areas that have in the past been infested with militancy. Outsourcing security to the local people in the form of lashkars is a bad idea, as it is the state’s duty to keep the peace. Moreover, the administration should inform the nation about the status of negotiations with the TTP. While the government, opposition and establishment may all be preoccupied with the power games being played in and near Islamabad, it would be highly unwise to ignore the people’s warnings about the creeping militant threat.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2022