PESHAWAR: Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, on Monday unveiled a white paper on the performance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, alleging a rise in terrorism, smuggling, drug trafficking and administrative mismanagement in the province.
Speaking at a press conference alongside MNA Samar Haroon Bilour, Ikhtiar Wali claimed that the provincial government had failed to adequately respond to the deteriorating security situation and strengthen the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
He alleged that the KP government was acting as a “facilitator” for terrorists and drug traffickers, while also accusing it of failing to condemn terrorist incidents in the province. The allegations were presented as part of the opposition’s criticism of the provincial government’s security and administrative record.
According to the white paper, 122 police personnel were killed in KP during the first half of 2026, compared with 63 during the same period of 2025, representing a 93.7% increase. The number of police personnel injured rose from 84 to 175 during the same period, an increase of 108.3%.
The document further stated that 680 terrorist attacks were recorded in KP between January and September 2026, compared with 508 during the corresponding period of 2025, marking a 33.9% increase.
Ikhtiar Wali said the rising number of attacks and police casualties raised questions about the provincial government’s security strategy and institutional preparedness.
Questions over CTD preparedness
The white paper highlighted what it described as shortages in the CTD’s manpower, weapons, protective vehicles and night-vision equipment.
According to the document, the KP CTD had only nine M4 rifles against a stated requirement of 200 as of December 2025. It also had 11 night-vision devices against a requirement of 35.
The document said the CTD had 17 bulletproof vehicles, compared with 76 in Punjab and 42 in Balochistan.
Ikhtiar Wali also questioned the utilisation of funds allocated for CTD equipment. The white paper stated that Rs7.77 billion had been approved for CTD equipment, while Rs7.05 billion had been released by June 2026, leaving a difference of Rs720 million.
The document further claimed that, as of December 2025, the CTD had 3,113 personnel against 3,844 sanctioned posts, leaving nearly 19% of the positions vacant. It added that 638 vacant posts for field operators had still not been filled by June 2026.
Criticism over Apex Committee meetings
The white paper also criticised the frequency of meetings of the provincial Apex Committee.
Ikhtiar Wali claimed that the chief minister chaired the first meeting of the provincial Apex Committee 112 days after assuming office. He said attacks in Bannu, Tank, Hangu and Kohat continued despite commitments made during Apex Committee meetings.
MNA Samar Haroon Bilour alleged that the provincial government’s security measures were inadequate and claimed that the people of KP had been “left helpless” in the face of growing security challenges.
Bilour also claimed that an explosion in Kohat during Sohail Afridi’s tenure as chief minister was the 10th such incident in the area and alleged that Afridi had attended only one Apex Committee meeting.
Drug trafficking and smuggling
The white paper also focused on drug trafficking and smuggling in the province.
It claimed that police operations in KP during the first quarter of 2026 resulted in the seizure of 5,695 kilograms of hashish, 847 kilograms of ice, 210 kilograms of heroin and 275 kilograms of opium.
The document further stated that 960 kilograms of drugs were seized in Peshawar during September 2026, while raids on two alleged synthetic-drug manufacturing facilities in the city led to further investigations.
On anti-narcotics efforts, the white paper said the annual target for destroying drug crops was 250 kanals, with action taken against crops on 130 kanals by April. It claimed that only 52% of the target had been achieved during the first 10 months of the financial year.
The document also cited a Customs report stating that smuggled goods and vehicles worth Rs1.163 billion were seized during a two-week period in July 2026.
Ikhtiar Wali said authorities needed to go beyond seizures and investigate the organisers, financial backers and distribution networks involved in drug trafficking and smuggling.
Questions over police autonomy
The white paper also raised concerns over a draft approved by the provincial cabinet in September 2026 that, according to the document, would increase political authority over the police command.
Ikhtiar Wali said the reported changes raised questions about the professional autonomy of the police force.
The white paper called for greater transparency regarding security expenditures, recruitment, equipment procurement and the implementation of measures intended to strengthen the province’s security institutions.
The allegations and figures presented at the press conference represent the position of Ikhtiar Wali and Samar Haroon Bilour. The KP government’s response to the specific claims contained in the white paper was not included in the material provided.
