PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday emphasised that if the policies couldn’t deliver the desired outcomes in the last two decades of war against terrorism, they must be revisited.

“Lasting peace can be achieved through a well-considered policy and not through the use of force alone,” Mr Afridi told a special ceremony held here to commemorate the Police Martyrs’ Day.

He said that KP had once again become the principal victim following the “resurgence of terrorism due to the state’s decisions”.

The chief minister said criticism of the decisions taken behind closed doors was justified, as KP had borne the brunt of terrorism and its people continued to suffer the devastating human and social consequences of the renewed violence.

Orders speedy allotment of residential plots to families of martyred police officials

He paid tribute to the “unparalleled sacrifices” of the province’s police personnel, according to an official statement issued by his office.

Mr Afridi said that the peace and security enjoyed by people today were the result of the supreme sacrifices rendered by the martyred police officials.

“The entire nation has paid tribute to the martyrs, the ghazis and their families for their extraordinary courage and sacrifice,” he said.

Mr Afridi said that the implementation of PTI founder Imran Khan’s peace policy could restore peace across the province within 100 days.

He warned that if political differences, personal ego and prejudice prevented stakeholders from working together, the consequences would be borne by all.

The chief minister announced an additional honorary grant of Rs50,000 for the family of each martyred police official and directed authorities to expedite the allotment of residential plots to the families of martyrs to ensure their timely provision.

Highlighting the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening law-enforcement institutions, Mr Afridi said that around Rs35 billion had been allocated in the previous fiscal year to enhance the operational capacity of the local police, the counter-terrorism department and Special Branch.

He said the police’s budget for the current fiscal year had been increased to more than Rs180 billion.

The chief minister said that sustainable development and economic prosperity were impossible without lasting peace and that the fight against terrorism required a collective national effort, with both the police and the public working together to secure enduring peace.

Corps Commander of Peshawar Lieutenant General Omer Ahmad Bukhari, who was the chief guest at the event, paid tribute to the martyred police officials for “timeless sacrifices”.

“We have been fighting the war for the integrity of the country for over two decades and with the Almighty Allah’s grace, we will succeed in this war,” he said.

The corps commander said that the bravery, determination and professional services of police officers and personnel were highly appreciated and described the high morale of the police and their role against terrorism as commendable.

“The sacrifices of the martyrs are guarantors of the nation’s peace, stability and bright future. The nation is indebted to the martyrs,” he said.

On the occasion, KP police chief Zulfiqar Hameed said that the Police Martyrs’ Day was being observed to honour those who had laid down their lives and offered sacrifices for the land, adding that nations could never become strong in absence of the spirit of sacrifice.

“This province is ours, so the responsibility for peace and stability here falls upon all of us. We will all have to unite against the enemy,” he said, paying tribute to the parents, widows, children and relatives of the martyred police officials.

Mr Hameed said that the most outstanding officers were targeted during the current wave of terrorism and that the way personnel of the law-enforcement agencies and people stood against a bunch of terrorists, the designs of the latter would never succeed.

He also stated that Ghazis, brave sons of nation, never let the Pakistani flag fall even after taking bullets in their bodies.

“Ghazis are our strength and a valuable asset of the force,” he said.

The police chief thanked the provincial government for extending all-out support to police.

Special Assistant to the chief minister for the home and tribal affairs Tariq Saeed Khan Marwat, Frontier Corps IG Major General Rao Imran Sirtaj, Commandant of Federal Constabulary Riaz Nazir Hussain Garha, chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, family members of the martyred police personnel, ghazis and senior civil, police and military officials were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026