PESHAWAR: A high-level meeting has decided to convene the provincial apex committee to discuss the volatile security situation in the province.

The meeting, chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir on Friday, was also attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and field commanders, according to an official statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Coming the day after a ghastly attack on a convoy travelling from Parachinar to Peshawar, the army chief’s visit to Peshawar was billed by ISPR “as a follow-up of the National Apex Committee meeting… and prelude to [the] Provincial Apex Committee meeting”, which, sources familiar with the meeting said, was likely to be held early next month.

Questions were raised as to why, certain decisions, made during the last apex committee meeting, were not followed up and acted upon with reference to the situation in Kurram and other places, sources told Dawn.

Army chief chairs important meeting in Peshawar, vows to eradicate ‘illegal spectrum undermining national security’

Sources also said that CM Gan­dapur informed the meeting that a delegation would leave for Kur­r­­am. “Certain actions are in the offing regarding Kurram,” they said.

The province has seen a marked uptick in terrorist violence over the course of the past several months.

The 35 attacks recorded in the province during October 2024, included several major incidents in Bannu, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, North Waziristan and Orakzai, resulting in 64 casualties — 49 of whom were security personnel — and 40 injuries, according to a monthly report by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).

The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), along with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, Lashkar-i-Islam and other local Taliban factions, was reportedly involved in these terrorist activities across the province.

Paying profound tribute to the martyrs and ghazis, the army chief emphasised the unparalleled sacrifices being rendered for the defense of the motherland, an ISPR statement said.

Speaking on the occasion, he remarked that their sacrifices served as a cornerstone of national resilience, inspiring and unwavering dedication of the armed forces and of law enforcement agencies.

The chief of army staff also commended the high morale, operational readiness, and unyielding commitment of the troops in effectively countering all forms of threats.

He reiterated the army’s firm resolve to dismantle hostile terrorist networks and eradicate the illegal spectrum undermining national security.

The ISPR statement did not elaborate on what constitutes this “illegal spectrum”, but past statements have referred to a “spectrum of illegal activities”.

Highlighting the collective determination of the nation and its security forces to combat terrorism, the army chief stressed that thwarting the nefarious designs of inimical elements remained their top priority.

“Through synchronised and robust operations, Pakistan Army in collaboration with law enforcement agencies will relentlessly hunt down the enemies of peace to ensure lasting stability and security,” he assured.

Earlier this week, the National Action Plan apex committee had approved a full-fled­ged military operation in Balochistan to target terrorist activities and separatist movements.

The committee once again vowed to revitalise the National Counter-Terrorism Authority under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam to eradicate resurging terrorism.

Published in Dawn, November 23th, 2024