ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday suggested that all political forces join hands in the fight against extremism.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Strategies and Way Forward to Address Security Challenges’ at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Governor Kundi said that instability in Afghanistan had directly impacted upon Pakistan’s security.

He cited cross-border movement of non-state actors leading to increased terrorism, smuggling, and illicit trade.

“Border security remained a paramount concern for the provincial government, he added.

Noting that maintaining stability and security was fundamental to national progress, the governor emphasised that equitable economic growth, good governance and social development were prerequisites for countering subversive ideologies.

Mr Kundi also underscored that capitalising investment opportunities through building special economic zones, and trade corridors, skill development and imparting education coupled with promotion of inter-faith harmony and social cohesion would be the key to ensuring peace and stability.

With reference to Pakistan’s geopolitical complexities and security threats emanating from across the borders, the governor noted that use of propaganda, funding violent extremism, cyberattacks, and attempts to thwart the building of infrastructure were all part of the nefarious designs to imperil Pakistan’s internal security and integrity.

IRS President Jauhar Saleem underlined the need for adopting a holistic approach, keeping in view domestic as well as multiple foreign factors in play.

He felt that policy measures in a range of areas, including economic and human development, improving policing and administration, reforming the criminal justice system and access to justice, rooting out corruption and upgrading the law enforcement capacity, were required on one hand and countering nefarious narratives propagated by violent radicals was essential on the other hand.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2025