Summary The cabinet will examine the growing security challenges, terrorist attacks and administrative situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken a break, with ministers expected to reconvene within hours to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Major constitutional and administrative decisions concerning the province are also expected.
According to sources, the cabinet will meet again after the break to continue deliberations on key issues. The timing of the next meeting has not been specified.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry and other federal ministers are attending the meeting.
According to government sources, the cabinet reviewed rising terrorist attacks, security challenges and the administrative situation in KP. Special security reports prepared by the provincial police and intelligence agencies have been presented to the prime minister and the cabinet.
The agenda also includes measures to restore peace and stability in the province and address governance-related concerns. Sources said significant constitutional and administrative decisions concerning KP were expected.
Security report reveals 195pc rise in terrorism
Two special security reports presented at the meeting show that terrorist incidents in KP increased by 195 per cent between March 1, 2024, and September 23, 2026, highlighting the growing security challenges facing the province.
According to the reports, militants based in Afghanistan, local facilitators and what the findings described as shortcomings in provincial policies and a lenient approach towards militants have contributed to the deteriorating situation. The reports also pointed to gaps in provincial preparedness and counterterrorism measures.
Police and security personnel were the targets of 73 per cent of terrorist attacks recorded in 2026, the reports stated.
They also highlighted the growing use of drones by militants. According to the findings, no drone attacks targeting police and security forces were reported in 2024, while the number reached 170 in 2026. The reports also cited an approximately 107 per cent year-on-year increase in drone attacks.
The threat from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has also remained significant, with 181 attacks recorded in 2025 and 159 reported up to September 2026.
Police, CTD face resource shortages
The reports identified serious gaps in the operational capacity of the KP police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), including more than 9,000 vacant police positions.
The provincial police and CTD are facing shortages of modern weapons, essential operational equipment and surveillance and intelligence-gathering tools. The reports also highlighted inadequate access to night-vision and thermal-imaging equipment.
In the terrorism-affected southern districts, a shortage of armoured and protected vehicles has affected police mobility and operational capabilities, according to the findings.
The reports further noted that the Safe City project remained limited to Peshawar, while police in the merged districts faced shortcomings in training, resources and operational preparedness.
The CTD was also reported to be facing a shortage of specially trained personnel and relying on regular police staff to meet its staffing needs. Its district offices, operational facilities and specialised infrastructure were described as insufficient to address the growing security threat.
The findings highlighted gaps in law enforcement capacity, provincial preparedness and counterterrorism measures. A cabinet committee has expressed serious concern over rising terrorist incidents, institutional weaknesses and governance issues in the province.
Governor’s rule, emergency under discussion
The cabinet meeting comes a day after President Asif Ali Zardari met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the country’s overall political and security situation.
According to government sources, the two leaders reached an understanding regarding the possible imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate have been summoned for October 13, sources said, amid expectations of major developments concerning the province.
