While the state is clear on its decision to fight terrorism in KP, it doesn’t seem to have a clear strategy

The future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remains uncertain, with potential changes such as becoming a single entity, a democratic state, or even the south being carved out to form a new province. Additionally, the former Fata region may revert to being part of KP. Amidst this uncertainty, a newly appointed member of the Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) for the special emergency-hit districts suggested reaching out to the Afghan Taliban for peace.

This proposal, however, was met with criticism from the Peshawar-led advisory council and Samar Bilour, representing the Peshawar council.

While the government claims to be committed to fighting terrorism, the focus seems to have shifted away from the issue. The intensity of attacks is growing, causing concern for the entire country and its prospects of attracting foreign investment. The government's strategy, however, appears to be rooted in the post-Musharraf era, focusing on clearing areas and returning displaced people. But given that the Taliban is no longer controlling large areas and has retreated to Afghanistan, this approach seems ineffective.

The strategy also appears to disregard public sentiment, as many residents are hesitant to support military operations due to displacement and the lack of promised compensation for damaged property and businesses. Furthermore, there is a lack of trust between the state and the local population, which is essential for the success of any operation. The state must work to bridge these gaps before launching any military actions.

Moreover, the debate over terrorism often reduces to a binary choice of using force or not, overlooking the nuanced aspects of the problem. A successful strategy must not only involve military operations but also the development of strong civilian institutions capable of governing effectively after the operations. The reduction of the debate to a simple force vs. non-force approach fails to address the complexity of the issue, which requires a more comprehensive and nuanced approach.