Mahmood Jan Babar, Adviser to the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Area Representatives and Development Councils (ARDCs), has warned that no further concessions will be given to terrorists or their facilitators in the province’s 12 districts, stressing that restoring peace is essential for development. Babar said terrorists had only three options: surrender to the law, leave the area or face state action. He said a strict policy had been adopted against terrorists and their facilitators to restore peace in the affected districts, adding that the government would no longer offer concessions.
The adviser emphasised that terrorism was a major obstacle to development and prosperity. He urged members of the ARDCs and local tribal elders to engage with communities and encourage residents to contribute to peace, stability and development in their respective areas.
Babar also ruled out further negotiations with terrorists, saying communities must cooperate with law enforcement agencies to address the presence of militants in their areas. He said that if a terrorist was living in a household and the local community was aware of the situation, residents should take appropriate action in accordance with the law. Otherwise, the state would intervene, he warned.
The adviser cautioned that continued terrorism would undermine development projects and delay the provision of essential public services. Roads, schools, hospitals, clean drinking water and other basic facilities could all be affected if peace was not restored. He stressed that local communities had a vital role to play in maintaining peace, adding that eliminating terrorism was essential to advancing development projects and improving public services across the affected districts.
