Pakistan has once again found itself facing a harsh and familiar reality: terrorism is rising, and its center of gravity is once more Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). In a detailed and forceful press conference, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry laid out the military’s assessment of why this surge is occurring, who is responsible, and the dangers that lie ahead if the nation fails to respond with unity and clarity.
According to the DG ISPR, nearly 80 per cent of terrorist incidents in Pakistan are now taking place in K-P, a province that has long stood on the frontline of conflict. He directly linked this trend to what he described as a “politically permissive environment” and an emerging nexus between political actors and militant elements. His words were not merely statistics; they were a warning drawn from painful history.
Terrorism Concentrated in K-P: The Numbers Tell the Story
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry made it clear that the issue is not abstract or exaggerated. It is visible in data, daily operations, and bloodshed across the province.
Terrorist Incidents in 2025 by Region
| Region | Terrorist Incidents | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 3,811 | 71% |
| Balochistan | 1,557 | 29% |
| Rest of Pakistan | 29 | Less than 1% |
| Total | 5,397 | 100% |
These figures show that K-P is bearing the heaviest burden. Markets, schools, buses, cantonments, and police centers have all been targeted, turning ordinary life into an exercise in survival.
A Politically Permissive Environment: What Does It Mean?
The DG ISPR explained that terrorism does not grow in isolation. It feeds on confusion, weak narratives, and mixed signals. According to him, certain political statements and positions in K-P have created space for militant groups to reorganize, recruit, and build facilitation networks.
This environment, he said, has allowed extremist groups to repeatedly challenge the writ of the state. When political leaders question counterterrorism efforts without offering alternatives, militants exploit the gap. Silence, ambiguity, and appeasement become tools that terrorism uses against the state.
Strong Criticism of PTI’s Counterterrorism Narrative
A major portion of the press conference focused on criticism of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leadership. The DG ISPR played video clips and showed screenshots of statements by senior PTI figures, including party founder Imran Khan and K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Lt Gen Chaudhry questioned what he called a confusing and dangerous narrative on terrorism. He asked why, at a time when thousands of attacks had already occurred, political leaders were opposing military operations without suggesting any workable alternative.
His central question was simple yet unsettling:
If not action, then what?
No Honour in Insulting Martyrs
The DG ISPR reacted strongly to claims that soldiers were dying for “minerals or dollars.” He said such statements deeply insult the sacrifices of martyrs and their families.
He reminded the nation that K-P itself is rich in mineral resources, and the army wants these resources to benefit local people, their children, and future generations. But without peace, no development is possible.
Referring to martyred Major Adeem from Dera Ismail Khan, he asked whether such officers were outsiders or sons of the same soil. Many of those laying down their lives are young men from K-P itself, defending their own towns and families.
Army’s Presence Is Constitutional, Not Political
Responding to calls for the military to withdraw from certain areas, Lt Gen Chaudhry emphasized that the Pakistan Army is a federal force, operating under constitutional and legal directives.
He said no individual or party has the authority to surrender any part of the country to terrorists for political gains. Safeguarding Pakistan’s territorial integrity is not optional; it is a constitutional duty.
Lessons from Swat: A Painful Memory
History, when ignored, has a habit of returning with greater force. The DG ISPR recalled how similar political rhetoric in the past led to the army’s withdrawal from Swat.
What followed was catastrophic.
Hundreds, and later thousands, of civilians, children, and soldiers lost their lives. Swat, Matta, and other areas paid a terrible price for appeasement and hesitation. He warned that opposing operations today risk repeating the same tragedy across K-P.
Why Are Some Political Actors Never Attacked?
Lt Gen Chaudhry raised a sharp and uncomfortable question:
Why have certain political actors never been targeted by terrorists?
He pointed out that terrorist groups have attacked workers and leaders of almost every party, including ANP, JUI-F, PPP, and PML-N. Yet some groups claim they avoid standing against terrorists because they fear becoming unpopular.
Unpopular with whom?
With the terrorists themselves?
This question, he said, demands honest reflection.
Terrorism Is a Regional Problem, Not Pakistan’s Alone
Rejecting the idea that Pakistan is uniquely responsible for terrorism, the DG ISPR cited international assessments.
The United Nations has acknowledged the presence of 20 international terrorist organizations operating in the region. Countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Pakistan all report the same threat emanating from the same geography.
Terrorism, he stressed, is a shared regional problem, not a propaganda tool to be used for domestic politics.
Afghan Soil and Indian Support: External Drivers of Terrorism
Key External Factors Identified by DG ISPR
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Afghan Territory | Used as an operational base by TTP, BLA, and others |
| Indian Support | Funding, facilitation, and strategic backing |
| US Military Equipment | $7.2 billion left behind in Afghanistan |
| War Economy | Groups seeking survival after aid flows stopped |
According to the DG ISPR, militant groups operate freely from Afghan soil, while funding and support patterns increasingly point towards India. He also highlighted how advanced US weapons left in Afghanistan are now being used against Pakistan.
Broken Promises After the Doha Agreement
Lt Gen Chaudhry reminded the audience that the Doha Agreement promised three things:
an inclusive Afghan government, no use of Afghan soil for terrorism, and protection of women’s rights.
None of these promises was fulfilled.
Instead, Afghanistan became a hub for multiple terrorist organizations. Groups like the TTP and BLA expanded their operations, while around 2,500 foreign militants were recently relocated from Syria to Afghanistan.
2025: A Defining Year in the Fight Against Terrorism
The DG ISPR described 2025 as a landmark and consequential year. Security forces launched an extensive nationwide campaign to counter a sharp rise in attacks.
Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in 2025
| Region | IBOs Conducted |
|---|---|
| Balochistan | 58,778 |
| K-P | 14,658 |
| Rest of Pakistan | 1,739 |
| Total | 75,175 |
On average, more than 206 IBOs were conducted daily, reflecting the intensity of the fight.
Rising Terrorism from 2021 to 2025
Terrorism Trends in Pakistan
| Year | Incidents | Militants Killed | Security Personnel Martyred |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 761 | 193 | 592 |
| 2022 | 1,020 | 443 | 644 |
| 2023 | 1,811 | 691 | 980 |
| 2024 | 3,014 | 1,053 | 989 |
| 2025 | 5,397 | 2,597 | 1,235 |
The figures show a steady rise that turned into a sharp surge, underlining why the military considers the current phase extremely dangerous.
Major Terror Attacks in 2025
From Bannu to Islamabad, no area remained untouched. Attacks targeted cantonments, buses, schools, judicial complexes, and training centers. Children and civilians were deliberately chosen as targets to spread fear.
The DG ISPR also revealed that militants used armed quadcopters, often deploying women and children as human shields. He clarified that the Pakistan Army uses drones only for surveillance.
No “Good” Terrorist Exists
One of the strongest statements from the press conference was clear and uncompromising.
Whether Daesh, Al Qaeda, or TTP, they are all terrorists. They have no religion, no faith, and no justification. In Pakistan’s view, there is no room for confusion or selective sympathy.
A National War, Not the Army’s Alone
Lt Gen Chaudhry concluded with a warning drawn from experience and history. Terrorism is not just the army’s fight. It is a national struggle.
If the nation does not stand united, the consequences will reach homes, schools, markets, and offices. Silence today becomes regret tomorrow.
Conclusion: Choosing Clarity Over Confusion
The DG ISPR’s press conference was not merely a briefing; it was a mirror held up to the nation. It asked Pakistan to choose between clarity and confusion, between unity and division, between learning from history or repeating its mistakes.
K-P has suffered enough. Its people deserve peace, dignity, and a future free from fear. That future, as history has shown, can only be built when politics stands firmly against terror, not ambiguously beside it.
The road ahead is difficult, but the lesson is old and proven: without peace, nothing else can grow.
FAQs
Why did the DG ISPR say terrorism is rising mostly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa?
The DG ISPR stated that most terrorist incidents are happening in K-P because militant groups find space to operate there. He said political confusion, weak messaging against terrorism, and mixed signals have created an environment where extremists can regroup, plan attacks, and challenge the authority of the state more easily.
What does “politically permissive environment” mean in this context?
It means an atmosphere where political statements or actions indirectly allow militants to survive or grow. According to the DG ISPR, when political leaders oppose security operations without offering alternatives, terrorists benefit. Such an environment weakens state authority and strengthens extremist networks.
Why did the DG ISPR criticise PTI during the press conference?
The DG ISPR criticised PTI’s leadership for questioning military operations while terrorism was rising. He asked what alternative plan was being offered if force was ruled out. His concern was that political rhetoric was creating confusion instead of helping defeat terrorism.
What role do Afghanistan and India play in terrorism, according to the DG ISPR?
The DG ISPR said many terrorist groups are using Afghan soil as their base to attack Pakistan. He also claimed that funding, planning, and support patterns point toward India. Additionally, advanced weapons left behind after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan are being used by militants.
Is the fight against terrorism only the army’s responsibility?
No. The DG ISPR stressed that terrorism is a national issue, not just a military one. He warned that if the nation remains divided, terrorism will affect daily life everywhere. Unity among political parties, institutions, and the public is essential to defeat this threat.
