Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said rising terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “must be stopped” at any cost.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

During the meeting, views were also exchanged on matters related to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the PMO said.

“It is our desire that KP should also develop like other parts of the country,” the premier was quoted as saying.

“We regard with appreciation the sacrifices of the people of KP against terrorism,” he added.

The federal minister also briefed the prime minister on ongoing matters and progress in AJK and GB, the statement said.

The prime minister directed that effective measures be continued to ensure the welfare, development and provision of basic facilities for the people of AJK and GB.

He said the development of AJK and GB and the prosperity of their people were among the government’s priorities, according to the statement.

PM Shehbaz on Tuesday expressed dismay over the “unfortunate events” in AJK in recent months, adding that, however, the law took its course.

The government and the JAAC have been at odds over various issues, most notably the committee’s demand to abolish the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, which resulted in violence-marred protests across the region.

KP has also been witnessing terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time. The province, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August compared with 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 per cent, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS)

On Tuesday Security forces killed five terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan.

On October 2, security forces killed seven terrorists in an IBO in North Waziristan.