ABBOTTABAD: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has attributed the alarming rise in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over recent years to what he termed the misleading narrative of the former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government in the province.
Talking to journalists here on Monday, he called for urgent measures to restore public confidence and improve law and order under governor’s rule. He said that serious efforts had been made to make negotiations successful for resolving political and security issues, but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister had remained a major obstacle to their success.
Expressing concern over the province’s administrative situation, Mr Sherpao said that ineffective governance had left people without adequate protection for their lives and properties. He maintained that the imposition of an emergency had become an unavoidable necessity. He said that restoring public confidence and reducing terrorism must be the top priorities.
He said that governor’s rule could achieve its objectives only if it brought meaningful relief to people and helped to end the prevailing uncertainty. He called for immediate and practical steps to improve security situation and address concerns of people.
To a question about reports circulating on social media regarding his possible appointment as governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr Sherpao dismissed the reports as baseless. He said that sustainable development and lasting peace in the province required all political and administrative stakeholders to sit together and formulate a joint strategy to overcome the prevailing crises.
Commenting on the economic situation, he said that repeated increase in petroleum prices was intensifying inflationary pressures on ordinary citizens. He criticised the federal government for, what he described as, leaving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone in its difficult circumstances.
Mr Sherpao urged the federal government to play an effective and responsible role in addressing the province’s security challenges, deteriorating law and order situation and economic difficulties.
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026
