DERA ISMAIL KHAN, September 27 — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday said anyone who takes up arms against Pakistan is a terrorist, as he reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling militancy and restoring peace in the province.
Speaking at a press conference in Dera Ismail Khan, the chief minister strongly condemned the blast in Darazinda and expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Afridi said civilians were not the only ones losing their lives in the fight against terrorism, as personnel of the security forces were also being martyred.
He said the provincial government had provided Rs35 billion to the police for maintaining peace and strengthening their capacity to deal with security challenges.
“We want peace,” the chief minister said, adding that the government was conscious of the suffering caused by terrorism to children, women, civilians and security personnel.
Afridi said his government was serious about eliminating terrorism and maintained that anyone taking up arms against Pakistan should be treated as a terrorist.
He stressed that lasting peace could not be established without taking the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into confidence.
The chief minister also expressed concern over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan amid the continuing wave of terrorism.
Afridi announced that those who lose their lives in the current wave of terrorism would be covered under the martyr package.
His remarks came as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to face security challenges, with the provincial government placing greater emphasis on strengthening police capabilities and building public confidence in efforts to restore peace.