Addressing the National Ulema Convention in Islamabad, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir stated that the Pashtuns have made enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and that despite the efforts of the Khwaraj and their patrons, the restoration of peace in the entire country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will be achieved at all costs. The army chief made special mention of the people of the Majha tribal districts, saying that while Pakistan provided shelter to millions of refugees from a neighboring Islamic country and played an important role in establishing peace there, it also patronized the Khwaraj (terrorists), forcing the Pakistan Army to take action against the Khwaraj to put an end to the riots. About digital terrorism, he stated that negative propaganda against Pakistan and its military would not be accepted and that terrorists would be dealt with rigorously by the constitution and the law. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Eminent Scholars addressed the gathering, vowing to eradicate terrorism and extremism in Pakistan.
It is commendable that the Army Chief not only expressed unequivocally the priorities of the institution responsible for the state’s defence, the army, but also paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in tribal areas, during decades of terrorism and unrest. There is no doubt that the Pashtun belt has been the most affected by ongoing terrorism, and under the auspices of Afghanistan’s interim government, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have faced record attacks since August 2021 from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-state groups and their patrons.
During this time, attempts were undertaken to create political and social upheaval by expelling Pashtuns from the state under the cover of various occurrences. In this regard, some others, including the province’s ruling party, used various methods for political point scoring, but despite numerous legitimate complaints, the majority of the people stood with the state and made every effort to avoid confrontation and tension while moving things forward through peaceful political struggle. The Army Chief’s admiration for their efforts has inspired those who made them. There will also be a message to the security forces’ youth, who make daily sacrifices to establish peace in the region, that their national and military authorities are united behind them.
There is no doubt that our leaders have made some blunders and excesses in the past, but as a nation, Pashtuns have always played a vital and beneficial role in Pakistan’s security, stability, and development as the country’s second-largest stakeholder. In light of the region’s geopolitical position, it is the obligation of all political forces, not just the state, to thwart any attempt to utilize them against Pakistan. Because the Pashtun belt has long served as the focal point for different global and regional proxies, it has faced several political, social, and economic issues. All parties must prioritize the development of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in addition to restoring peace in the war-torn provinces, because they are the gateways to Pakistan’s security and growth due to their geographical importance.