PM reaffirms resolve to defeat terrorism, strengthen economy and ensure equal development

• Premier Shehbaz pays tribute to 100,000 martyrs, including security personnel and civilians, in fight against terrorism
• Lauds KP’s sacrifices, vows united fight against terrorism, inclusive national development
• Terms APS Peshawar tragedy defining moment, warning against resurgence of terrorism due to post-2018 flawed decisions
• Reiterates Pakistan’s desire for peaceful relations with Afghanistan while safeguarding national security, condemning social media attempts to malign martyrs and spread enemy propaganda
• Highlights Rs800b federal support to KP and 100% resource boost for Balochistan under NFC Award

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, strengthen the economy, and advance Pakistan through hard work, integrity, and teamwork.

“InshaAllah, the day is not far when Pakistan will reclaim its rightful place among the respected nations of the world,” the premier declared, paying tribute to the unparalleled sacrifices of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), law enforcement agencies, armed forces, doctors, engineers, students, and civilians in the fight against terrorism, whose blood “paved the way for the near-complete elimination of terrorism by 2018.”

Addressing participants at the KP National Workshop, the prime minister recalled that nearly 100,000 Pakistanis, including soldiers, police personnel, Rangers, and innocent civilians, had laid down their lives to defeat terrorism. He said the APS Peshawar tragedy became a defining moment for the nation, after which political leadership and armed forces, under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, agreed that “there would be no distinction between good and bad Taliban.”

“اے پی ایس کے واقعے کے بعد افواجِ پاکستان اور سیاسی حکومت اس نتیجے پر پہنچے کہ سب برابر ہیں، اچھے اور برے طالبان کی کوئی تمیز نہیں۔ پاکستان کے ایک لاکھ افراد شہید ہوئے، جن میں افواجِ پاکستان کے افسران اور سپاہی، پولیس، رینجرز اور عام شہری شامل ہیں۔ ان کے خون کی بدولت دہشت گردی کا… pic.twitter.com/vSRzFAc5iu

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 20, 2026

Premier Shehbaz expressed regret over certain flawed decisions post-2018, including the release of hardened militants and the return of thousands of individuals from Afghanistan, which he said had led to a resurgence of terrorism. He warned that terrorism remains a serious threat to Pakistan’s peace, development, and prosperity, particularly in KP, where security personnel continue to embrace martyrdom to safeguard the nation’s future.

He strongly condemned attempts on social media to malign martyrs and spread poisonous propaganda in line with narratives of Pakistan’s enemies, asserting, “This nation will not rest until terrorism and its facilitators, inside or outside Pakistan, are completely eliminated.”

” آج مقامِ افسوس ہے، دل خون کے آنسو روتا ہے جب آپ دیکھتے ہیں کہ سوشل میڈیا پر شہیدوں کے خلاف زہر اگلا جاتا ہے، کس طرح ان شہیدوں کو بدنام کرنے کی ایک انتہائی ناپاک کوشش کی جاتی ہے۔ سرحد پار موجود پاکستان کے دشمنوں کی آواز سے آواز ملا کر پاکستان کے خلاف زہر پھیلایا جاتا ہے۔ یہ تمام… pic.twitter.com/58YixgdyrY

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 20, 2026

Highlighting federal support to provinces, the prime minister recalled that under the 2010 NFC Award, all provinces agreed to allocate one percent of the divisible pool to KP in recognition of its sacrifices against terrorism. He said that over the past 15 years, this amount has reached approximately Rs800 billion for capacity building and counter-terrorism efforts in the province. Similarly, Balochistan received a 100 percent increase in its share of resources, while Punjab voluntarily sacrificed part of its share.

“اگر پچھلے دس سالوں کا موازنہ کیا جائے، کے پی کے کی ترقی اور خوشحالی کے سفر کا سندھ، پنجاب اور بلوچستان کے ساتھ، تو دودھ کا دودھ اور پانی کا پانی ہو جائے گا۔ این ایف سی ایوارڈ میں وسائل کے حوالے سے چاروں صوبوں کو حتیٰ المقدور انصاف کے مطابق وسائل دیے گئے، لیکن بعض صوبوں نے ان… pic.twitter.com/TmawbQZEjN

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 20, 2026

Premier Shehbaz emphasized that national progress is meaningless unless all provinces develop equally. In this context, he announced that Rs400 billion have been allocated for the 850-kilometre “bloody road” project from Karachi to Chaman in Balochistan, with no provincial contribution required. He also highlighted federal initiatives including solarization projects in Balochistan, expansion of Danish schools in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, merit-based laptop schemes, education endowment funds, and training of 1,000 young agriculture graduates from across Pakistan in top Chinese universities.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peaceful and brotherly relations with Afghanistan, noting the country has hosted millions of Afghan refugees over decades with dignity and generosity. However, he expressed concern over the failure of successive Afghan governments to prevent terrorist groups from operating from Afghan soil, saying Pakistan was left with no option but to take firm measures to safeguard its people.

“افغانستان ہمارا ہمسایہ ملک ہے۔ ہمیں دل بڑا کرنا چاہیے، لیکن بدقسمتی سے، چاہے ماضی کی حکومتیں ہوں یا آج کی حکومت، ہماری میزبانی کی قدر نہیں کی گئی۔ چالیس لاکھ افغانوں پر پاکستان نے اپنے وسائل بھی نچھاور کیے۔ انہوں نے یہاں کاروبار کیے، شادیاں کیں، ان کے بچے اسکولوں اور کالجوں میں… pic.twitter.com/tH56CIMS3e

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 20, 2026

Centre’s engagement with KP and youth inclusion

Addressing questions on KP’s “disengaged” youth, PM Shehbaz Sharif dismissed claims of a cold war between the federal government and the KP administration. “There is a cold war ongoing … This statement does not align with the facts,” he said.

He noted that he had spoken by phone with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on the day of his election, offering “full support” for the province’s development and prosperity. “He thanked me. But after that, he did not contact me again,” the prime minister added, recalling a subsequent invitation to collaborate during his address in Chitral.

” جس دن موجودہ کے پی کے چیف منسٹر کو اسمبلی سے منتخب کیا گیا، میں نے اسی دن انہیں فون کیا اور مبارکباد دی۔ بدقسمتی سے ایک سابقہ حکومت نے اپنے دور میں جھوٹ کی بنیاد پر زہر گھولا اور ایک جھوٹے پروپیگنڈے کے ذریعے بیانیہ بنایا اور اسے لوگوں میں انجیکٹ کیا۔ ان شاء اللہ ہم پوری کوشش کے… pic.twitter.com/qfXwgYKcn3

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 20, 2026

Highlighting federal initiatives for youth, the premier pointed to multiple steps by the IT ministry to upskill young people, saying, “Pakistan will only develop when all four provinces have an equal part in it.”

“Without going into any political argument, if you compare KP’s journey of prosperity over the past 10 years with Sindh, Punjab, or Balochistan, the truth becomes clear,” he remarked. Noting that resources were allocated under the NFC Award, the prime minister lamented that corresponding development had not been visible in some areas, including KP, calling it “a painful question we must reflect on and answer.”

Dedicated facilities for victims of terrorism

During the workshop, following an emotional appeal from a differently-abled participant who survived a terrorist attack, the prime minister announced the establishment of a dedicated disability complex for victims of terrorism, particularly those affected by war.