Dera ismail khan: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Home and Tribal Affairs Tariq Saeed on Friday said that eliminating terrorism required collective efforts by the government, law enforcement agencies, the media and the public, stressing that the fight against anti-state elements was a shared national responsibility.
He expressed these views while addressing a joint press conference in Dera Ismail Khan alongside Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed during their visit to the region.
Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Division Daud Khan, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Ghulam Mubashir Maken, senior officials of the district administration, police and other relevant departments were also present.
Tariq Saeed said the provincial government was utilizing all available resources to eradicate terrorism and restore lasting peace across the province, particularly in the southern districts. He said anti-state elements would never succeed in their designs and urged all stakeholders to remain united and work with a shared purpose.
He said terrorism served no legitimate objective except spreading fear and instability, adding that its biggest victims were ordinary citizens whose daily lives and economic activities were severely affected.
Responding to questions from media representatives regarding the security situation in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan Division and other southern districts, the officials said intelligence-based operations would continue without interruption until terrorism was completely eliminated and every possible measure was being taken to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah described the recent terrorist incidents, particularly in Tank and other southern districts, as a serious challenge for the state. He said the government, in coordination with security agencies, was pursuing coordinated and effective operations against terrorist networks.
He said the capacity of law enforcement agencies was being enhanced while efforts were also underway to dismantle support systems facilitating terrorist activities. He added that several potential attacks had already been foiled through intelligence-based operations.
The Chief Secretary emphasized that the fight against terrorism was not the responsibility of security institutions alone but of the entire nation. He appealed to the public and the media to cooperate with state institutions by promptly reporting suspicious activities and the movement of terrorists or their facilitators to the relevant authorities.
Highlighting the role of the media, Shahab Ali Shah said responsible journalism and fact-based reporting were critical to strengthening the national narrative against terrorism. He urged media organizations to avoid spreading unverified information or rumours that could create unnecessary panic and hinder official efforts.
He also paid tribute to the sacrifices rendered by law enforcement personnel and citizens in the fight against terrorism, calling for the same spirit of national unity that had emerged after the Army Public School (APS) tragedy.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said police, security forces and other law enforcement agencies were working in close coordination and intelligence-led operations were being further strengthened.
He said measures were also being taken to enhance the operational capacity of the police force by providing modern weapons and equipment to ensure more effective action against terrorists.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment that the government, civil administration, law enforcement agencies, media and the public would continue to work together with mutual trust and responsibility to ensure lasting peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in its southern districts.
The dignitaries also visited injured personnel wounded in the recent terrorist attack and attended the funeral prayers of police personnel and a forest guard who embraced martyrdom during the terrorist assault on the Manji Khel check post in Tank district. The funeral prayers were offered with full official honours.
