The white paper, titled White Paper on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Misgovernance During Past One Year, dated September 27, 2026, highlights gaps in law enforcement capacity, delays in implementing security-related commitments and concerns over police administration. It calls for greater accountability, transparency in security expenditure and measurable improvements in public protection.
The document questions the provincial leadership’s handling of security challenges, particularly the gap between announced commitments and their implementation on the ground.
According to figures cited in the white paper, 122 police personnel were killed during the first six months of 2026, compared with 63 during the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of 93.7 percent.
Police injuries increased from 84 to 175 during the same comparative periods, reflecting a rise of 108.3 percent.
The white paper further highlights an increase in terrorist attacks from 508 between January and September 2025 to 680 during the corresponding period of 2026, marking a rise of 33.9 percent.
Citing figures from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), the document notes that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 174 terrorist attacks in 2023, 295 in 2024 and 413 in 2025.
It argues that the sustained increase in militant violence required faster institutional improvements, particularly in police protection, intelligence coordination and counter-terrorism preparedness.
White paper questions CTD preparedness and equipment shortages
The white paper raises concerns over incomplete capacity building of the Counter-Terrorism Department despite the continuing security challenges facing the province.
According to the document, the CTD had 3,113 serving personnel against 3,844 sanctioned positions, leaving approximately 19 percent of posts vacant.
It further highlights that only 25 personnel were permanent CTD employees, while the department relied heavily on officials drawn from the regular police force.
The white paper identifies significant shortages in protective equipment and specialised weapons.
It states that the KP CTD possessed 17 bulletproof vehicles, compared with 76 in Punjab and 42 in Balochistan.
Similarly, the department reportedly had only nine M4 rifles against a requirement of 200 and 11 night-vision devices against a requirement of 35.
The document questions delays in strengthening the department despite the approval of Rs7.77 billion for CTD equipment in December 2025, alongside the revival of a previously frozen Rs4.30 billion project for departmental offices in 21 districts.
According to figures cited from the Central Police Office on June 11, 2026, Rs7.05 billion had been released against the approved equipment allocation, leaving a gap of approximately Rs720 million.
The white paper also highlights that recruitment of 638 CTD field operators remained incomplete as of June 2026.
It calls for publication of records covering the approval, release, procurement, delivery and deployment of equipment, along with completion dates and explanations for delays.
The document maintains that funding announcements alone cannot establish whether frontline personnel have received the resources required for effective counter-terrorism operations.
Concerns raised over Apex Committee decisions and security failures
The white paper also questions the implementation of security commitments made through the provincial Apex Committee.
It highlights that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi chaired his first provincial Apex Committee meeting 112 days after assuming office.
The document refers to subsequent commitments concerning resource mobilisation, improved governance and implementation of security decisions, while calling for a public account of their progress.
It identifies several attacks on police personnel, checkpoints and security installations as incidents requiring scrutiny of protective arrangements and operational preparedness.
According to the white paper, seven police officers were killed in a bombing targeting an armoured police vehicle in Tank on January 12, 2026.
The document also highlights the February 16 attack on a Bajaur checkpoint, which killed 11 security personnel and a child.
It refers to the May 9 attack in Bannu, citing 15 police deaths in a bombing and subsequent ambush.
The white paper further draws attention to the July 29 attack on the Khazina police post in Hangu, where 11 police officers, including a senior officer leading reinforcements, were killed.
Particular concern is raised over the September 18 assault on a police complex in Kohat housing CTD and Special Branch offices and police residences.
According to the document, the attack resulted in a prolonged confrontation lasting approximately 20 hours.
The white paper questions the protection arrangements at an installation associated with intelligence and counter-terrorism operations.
It calls for disclosure of preceding security assessments, protective measures and corrective decisions.
The document also seeks a detailed implementation record of Apex Committee decisions, identifying responsible departments, committed resources, completion dates and evidence of delivery.
White paper highlights narcotics trafficking and enforcement gaps
The white paper raises concerns over the continued operation of narcotics distribution networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite enforcement operations and substantial drug recoveries.
Citing KP Police figures for the first quarter of 2026, it highlights the registration of 7,771 narcotics cases and the arrest of 7,751 suspects.
Recoveries during the period included 5,695 kilograms of hashish, 847 kilograms of methamphetamine, 210 kilograms of heroin and 275 kilograms of opium.
The document also refers to a January 22 statement by the provincial Excise minister concerning the recovery of 1,762 kilograms of drugs, including 47 kilograms of methamphetamine, during 91 operations conducted between November 4 and January 15.
The white paper questions whether enforcement activities have translated into measurable reductions in drug availability and related harm.
It highlights provincial budget figures showing that narcotics crops had been eliminated from 130 kanals of land by April 2026 against an annual target of 250 kanals, representing 52 percent of the target.
The document also draws attention to a September 2026 narcotics seizure in Peshawar involving 720 kilograms of hashish and 240 kilograms of opium.
It further highlights raids on two alleged synthetic drug manufacturing facilities in Peshawar, where 4,500 tablets, chemicals and machinery were reportedly recovered.
According to the cited reporting, investigators attributed a monthly production capacity of between 90,000 and 100,000 tablets to one of the alleged facilities.
The white paper calls for investigations extending beyond individual drug seizures to the suppliers, organisers, financiers and commercial networks associated with narcotics distribution.
Smuggling networks and illegal trade come under scrutiny
The white paper also raises concerns over smuggling routes, illicit commercial activities and administrative oversight within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Citing estimates compiled by the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME), the document highlights estimated annual national tax losses of Rs300 billion from tobacco, Rs270 billion from petroleum, Rs106 billion from tyres and lubricants, Rs60 billion to Rs65 billion from pharmaceuticals and Rs10 billion from tea.
The document refers to Customs operations conducted between November 2025 and July 2026 involving foreign cigarettes, cloth, medicines, tyres, betel nuts and non-duty-paid vehicles.
It highlights approximately Rs197 million in seizures over ten days in December 2025, including 19 non-duty-paid vehicles valued at around Rs110 million.
The white paper also cites January 2026 operations in which Customs recovered goods and vehicles worth Rs170 million across three operations near Nowshera and in Dera Ismail Khan and Hazara.
Particular attention is given to a July 2 Customs announcement concerning seizures worth Rs1.163 billion over two weeks, including contraband and non-duty-paid vehicles.
The document raises questions about the commercial networks facilitating the movement, storage and distribution of smuggled goods.
Illegal timber transportation is also identified as an area requiring stronger administrative oversight.
According to the white paper, authorities conducted 233 operations between May 1 and May 19, 2026, recovering 6,770 cubic feet of timber and 73,105 kilograms of fuel wood.
The operations also involved action against 59 vehicles and 31 illegal saw machines.
The document highlights the suspension of two forest guards and the ordering of an inquiry over alleged illegal logging and timber smuggling in Mahodand Valley in June 2026.
It calls for investigations into official negligence and the commercial networks sustaining illicit distribution.
White paper questions political control over police administration
The white paper also raises concerns over provincial government decisions concerning police command and administrative authority.
It highlights that the government defended chief ministerial approval powers over senior police postings in February 2026.
The document further refers to the provincial cabinet’s September 23 approval of another draft concerning senior police posting powers and leadership of the Police Policy Board.
The white paper questions the implications of concentrating greater authority over police appointments in political hands during a period of heightened security threats.
It also refers to the chief minister’s September 21 press conference concerning the proposed Islamabad march for Imran Khan’s release, raising questions about public priorities following the Kohat attack.
The document calls for sustained public reporting on security preparedness, implementation of decisions and assistance to victims.
White paper demands independent scrutiny and accountability
The white paper concludes by calling for independent scrutiny of provincial security spending, administrative decisions and law enforcement preparedness.
It recommends that the provincial government publish details of CTD expenditure within 30 days, including approved and released funds, equipment delivered and deployment locations.
The document also calls for a report on the implementation of Apex Committee decisions within 30 days, identifying overdue actions and the departments responsible.
Within 60 days, it recommends an assessment of police and CTD operational readiness, including inspections of exposed units and investigations into protection failures.
The white paper further proposes quarterly publication of district-level security results covering casualties, criminal funds seized and assistance provided to victims.
It calls for responsibility to be assigned to relevant officeholders following independent scrutiny of spending and protection decisions, with the findings placed before the public of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The document maintains that provincial leadership should be held accountable for the implementation of security commitments, operational preparedness and the effectiveness of measures intended to protect police personnel and civilians.