By Uzma Ehtasham
Pakistan is currently encircled by multiple crises, but none are as grave or as intertwined as the resurgence of terrorism and the deepening economic malaise. These are not routine challenges that can be managed through partisan point-scoring or short-term political maneuvers. They demand an unusual degree of seriousness, restraint and collective effort from the country’s political leadership. Without unity of purpose and coherence of action, the prospect of regaining control over either security or the economy will remain elusive. It bears repeating that terrorism and economic decline are not the burdens of a single province, one government or a particular institution. They are national challenges that cut across political boundaries and administrative jurisdictions.
Addressing them requires a shared sense of responsibility and a willingness to rise above entrenched divisions. In this context, the recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi assumed significance beyond its immediate optics. At a time when the country is crying out for political coordination, even modest gestures of engagement carry weight. During the meeting, the prime minister underscored the need for close cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to promote development and prosperity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while stressing that joint efforts were indispensable for restoring law and order in the province. He argued that the provincial government must intensify its initiatives to maintain peace and strengthen provincial institutions tasked with counterterrorism.
The message was clear: the eradication of terrorism cannot be achieved in silos, and constitutional responsibilities must be discharged in both letter and spirit. National development and public welfare, he maintained, require sustained coordination, effective communication and mutual consultation between the center and the provinces. Suhail Afridi, for his part, sought to frame the meeting as a constitutional obligation rather than a political overture. Speaking to the media afterwards, he said his engagement with the prime minister was necessary to safeguard the rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its people. He condemned recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and discussed cooperation on counterterrorism, alongside issues related to the National Finance Commission, net hydel profits and outstanding provincial dues.
He noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had already spent billions from its own resources on the former tribal districts and emphasized that terrorism recognizes neither province, nor country, nor religion. His remarks about the sacrifices of the people of Tirah Valley and Kurram, and his warning against statements that might wound their dignity, were a reminder that the human cost of insecurity is borne disproportionately by those on the margins. Meanwhile, the response in parliament reflected both consensus and contradiction. Federal ministers strongly condemned the wave of terrorist violence in Balochistan, calling for a clear and uncompromising strategy to eliminate militant networks. In the Senate, prayers were offered for fallen security personnel and civilians, and a unanimous resolution denouncing the attacks was passed.
The interior minister praised the security forces for thwarting terrorist designs and pledged to go to any length to restore peace in Balochistan. Yet the opposition leader in the upper house demanded resignations from the provincial chief minister and interior minister, urged talks with influential actors to stem violence, and called for an all-parties conference on law and order. The contrast captured a familiar pattern: rhetorical unity on condemnation, coupled with sharp political divergence on responsibility and remedy. The reality is that terrorism has exacted a devastating toll on Pakistan over the past two decades. Thousands of civilians, security personnel and tribal elders have lost their lives. Schools, places of worship, markets and development projects have been repeatedly targeted.
This prolonged trauma did not unfold in a vacuum. It was compounded by moments when the nation failed to act with clarity, consistency and collective resolve. History has shown that accommodation, ambiguity or perceived weakness in the face of violent extremism has neither delivered peace nor reduced bloodshed. The writ of the state, the supremacy of the constitution and the protection of citizens’ lives and property must remain non-negotiable priorities. At the same time, it is equally undeniable that terrorism is not merely a security problem. It is entangled with political exclusion, economic deprivation and social dislocation. A strategy that relies solely on force, without addressing these underlying dimensions, is unlikely to produce lasting stability.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
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