Pakistan's war against terrorism must now be fought with full resolve

Pakistan's war against terrorism must now be fought with complete unity and resolve, with the safety of the people and the country's interests placed above political differences. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has long described the war against terrorism as one imposed on Pakistan and fought for dollars. This position conflicts with the state's efforts to tackle militancy and reflects an approach that is sympathetic to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan Taliban. It is worthy to know why the conflict has not reached its conclusion despite the heavy sacrifices made by Pakistan's security forces and citizens. Repeated political disagreements and a lack of agreement over how to confront the TTP have made the fight more difficult. The issue cannot be resolved if political leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to look towards Afghanistan for answers to Pakistan's internal security problems. The PTI-led provincial government and the party's wider leadership have, over the past 13 years, looked towards Kabul rather than Islamabad when seeking solutions to key issues. The provincial leadership should instead work with the federal government and relevant authorities in Peshawar to address local problems. The people and political leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must focus on their own security, needs and interests, and residents should not have to live in fear of militant violence as efforts to end the threat posed by the TTP require a clear and coordinated approach. During PTI's 13 years in power in the province, militant groups and those accused of helping them gained ground. Provincial leadership must work alongside the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the rest of Pakistan to fight terrorism through close cooperation and effective action. T The campaign should be guided by the security and welfare of Pakistan and the province, rather than the interests of Afghanistan or any other country. There should be no compromise on the safety of the public or the need to prevent violence. Government policies and actions must focus on the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their security and their future, while rejecting political approaches that deepen unrest or obstruct efforts against terrorism.