The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Apex Committee has decided to transform terrorism-affected areas into model good governance districts and announced that these regions will be provided a special package under a structured programme to improve security, communications, health, education, employment, basic facilities and other essential services, it was reported on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the Provincial Apex Committee, an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, which was attended by provincial ministers, the Peshawar Corps Commander, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police, and senior civil, military and law enforcement officials.
At the outset of the meeting, Fateha was offered for civilians, security personnel and members of law enforcement agencies who were martyred in various incidents, and tributes were paid to their sacrifices.
The meeting reviewed the recent rise in terrorist incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and discussed a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the menace of Fitna al-Khawarij and restore complete peace and stability in the province.
The forum decided that the success of a comprehensive counterterrorism policy requires joint consultation, mutual cooperation and effective coordination among all political parties, public representatives, community elders and the federal government.
In this regard, it was resolved that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would spare no sacrifice and would utilise all available resources, including the army, police, Counter Terrorism Department and other institutions, to achieve lasting peace.
The committee noted that this long-term strategy would ensure identification and elimination of all drivers of terrorism and help restore public trust, enabling the government and the people to jointly safeguard national security and development.
The provincial government reiterated that improved governance and public welfare are central to uniting the nation against terrorism, and announced that in the first phase, terrorism-affected areas would be converted into model good governance districts.
It was decided that all government resources would be mobilised to address long-standing deprivations through the provision of development projects, social services and economic opportunities in these areas.
Under the structured programme, a special package will be extended to the affected regions focusing on security, communication networks, healthcare, education, employment generation, basic infrastructure and other public services.
The forum further decided that for sustainable stability, the government would ensure complete care, rehabilitation and provision of basic necessities to people temporarily displaced from their areas, so that this temporary hardship could become the foundation for lasting peace, development and prosperity.
The dignified return of displaced persons to their homes was declared a top priority of the provincial government.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said peace was the government’s foremost priority and that no compromise would be made on maintaining law and order.
He said the civil government, administration, Pakistan Army and all law enforcement agencies were on the same page and would continue joint efforts to ensure peace.
The chief minister said the fight against terrorism was a collective war and could only be won through unity and coordinated action.
