Islamabad, Feb 5 (NationPress) The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan is currently experiencing a significant political rift between Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, which is exacerbating the already rising terrorism threat in this unstable region, according to a report.

Afridi recently assessed the Safe Cities initiative. However, Kundi accused him of inciting violence through protests and neglecting security responsibilities, as detailed in a report by the Afghan Diaspora Network. Attaullah Tarar, the Federal Information Minister, criticized Afridi for questioning the use of Afghan soil by terrorists, highlighting the growing discord between federal and provincial governments amidst rising attacks.

Sohail Afridi led high-level discussions in Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat regarding the implementation of the Safe Cities project. Officials reported the installation of surveillance cameras in key locations: 711 in Peshawar, 88 in Dera Ismail Khan, 76 in Bannu, and 47 in Lakki Marwat.

He directed a phased extension to other areas and merged districts such as Tank, North Waziristan, and Karak. This initiative aims to bolster surveillance, enhance crime prevention, and support police capabilities through command centers, positioning it as a critical element for provincial stability.

Governor Kundi, however, claims that these efforts serve as distractions from pressing dangers. In a press conference, he criticized Afridi for neglecting the province to pursue political protests elsewhere, stating that the law-and-order situation is deteriorating. Kundi pointed out the daily targeting of police, soldiers, and officials, referring to incidents such as the killing of seven officers in a Tank IED attack on a police vehicle and increases in violence in DI Khan and Bannu, as reported by Shinwari, a freelance journalist.

Kundi called for the provincial government to support military operations, enhance the capabilities of police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and train merged Levies forces, while also questioning the origins of explosive devices delivered by drones, suggesting Afghan connections. He urged collaboration between federal and provincial authorities rather than engaging in partisan disputes, warning that Talibanisation gains ground when leaders focus on rallies over border security.

Tarar condemned Afridi for his comments regarding Afghan soil, arguing that they contribute to the terrorist narrative and undermine the seriousness of threats posed by groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kundi emphasized the need for cooperation between federal and provincial entities to stabilize Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, criticizing the governance failures of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in health, education, and infrastructure.

Data on terrorism has underscored the gravity of the situation. In 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced 702 terror incidents resulting in 1,363 deaths, including 288 civilians, 421 security personnel, and 654 militants, marking a 44.84 percent rise from the 941 fatalities reported in 2023, as indicated in a report from the Afghan Diaspora Network.

The situation further deteriorated in 2025, with the CTD documenting 1,588 incidents, over 500 attacks, and 510 targeted strikes against police. Pakistani security forces accounted for the deaths of 420 militants and the arrest of 1,244 suspects. However, districts such as Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, and Peshawar continued to suffer from assaults, with many attacks attributed to TTP havens along the Afghan border.