Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, commonly known as KP, remains the most affected province by terrorism in Pakistan. He attributed this situation to a growing political, criminal, and terror nexus that has created space for militant groups to operate. He made these remarks while addressing a detailed press conference focused on Pakistan’s counter-terrorism performance over the past year.
The DG ISPR said terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge for the country. However, he stressed that the state and the people are fully united against it. He described the fight against terrorism as a collective national struggle and stated that terrorists have no connection with the religion of Islam. According to him, extremist elements aim to destabilize the country and weaken national unity.
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that nearly 71 percent of terrorist incidents across the country occurred in KP. He said the presence of a politically favorable environment for militants has contributed to this trend. He warned that terrorism should not be viewed as a provincial matter. Instead, it must be addressed as a national security issue requiring unity, political consensus, and sustained commitment.
He described 2025 as a major year in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign. During the year, law enforcement agencies carried out 75,175 intelligence-based operations nationwide. KP alone witnessed 14,658 operations and suffered 16 suicide bombings. Balochistan recorded the highest number of operations, while other regions accounted for a smaller share. Overall, Pakistan faced 5,397 terrorist incidents, including 27 suicide attacks, and lost 1,235 lives.
The DG ISPR said the scale of these operations reflects the state’s firm resolve to dismantle terrorist networks. He added that all political parties remain aligned with the National Action Plan, showing national consensus against terrorism. He also noted that Pakistan’s efforts have been acknowledged at the international level.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said political changes in Afghanistan after 2021 led to a sharp rise in regional terrorism. He stated that the Doha Agreement proved to be a turning point for security challenges in Pakistan. He added that Afghan authorities failed to fulfill commitments related to counter-terrorism and inclusive governance.
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According to the DG ISPR, Afghanistan has turned into a safe haven for several militant groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, TTP, and BLA. He also mentioned the presence of ETIM and IMU, which pose threats to China and Central Asia. He revealed that terrorist groups received about $7.2 million in funding along with equipment. He concluded by saying Pakistan will continue decisive action to ensure lasting peace and stability.
