CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Saturday expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying personnel of security forces and civilians continued to fall victim to terror attacks.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Sherpao said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the provincial government, alleging it had failed in fulfilling its duties. He said the provincial government should step down if it could not restore peace.

He said terrorism-related incidents were repeatedly taking place in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Bajaur and Khyber districts, while both the federal and provincial governments were shifting responsibility to each other.

He added that the law and order had deteriorated in KP over the past 13 years, badly affecting the Pakhtun population.

Mr Sherpao said the provincial government was preoccupied with staging protests to secure release of former prime minister Imran Khan instead of addressing the worsening security situation.

He said bloodshed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan must be addressed through a unified stance by all political parties, urging them to develop a joint strategy for peace.

He said the government has failed to expose the masterminds and facilitators behind major terrorist attacks. Mr Sherpao demanded of the government to slash levy on petroleum products to provide relief to people impacted by soaring inflation.

He also condemned the suspension of CNG gas supply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling the move unjust.

He said that since gas was produced in the province, its needs should be prioritised under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, but the people of the province were being deprived of their rightful share.

Referring to the arrest of alleged woman drug dealer, Mr Sherpao said several major drug mafias were operating across the country but were not being targeted.

He alleged that such networks had been active for years while enjoying protection from influential elements, including those involved in the drug trade.

Mr Sherpao expressed sorrow over the killing of religious scholar Maulana Mohammad Idrees and demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026