THE recent Counter Terrorism Department’s (CTD) reports on the human cost of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2025 present a deeply alarming picture.

The province today stands at the centre of a grave and multi-layered crisis. After enduring terrorism, instability, and lawlessness for more than a decade, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa once again appears drenched in blood. According to official data, 1,588 terrorist incidents this year alone claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and security personnel, while dozens of areas remained trapped in a constant state of insecurity. This is not merely a security failure; it is a serious indictment of governmental priorities, political conduct, and administrative neglect. These figures amount to an indictment of the province’s overall system of governance and confirm a bitter reality: terrorism is not only alive, but in several regions it has become more organized and deadlier than before.

A closer look at the official reports shows that civilians and law-enforcement agencies have borne the brunt of the violence. The continued loss of police officers, Federal Constabulary personnel, and other security forces demonstrates that those standing on the front lines are still operating with inadequate resources, limited intelligence support, and uncertain political backing. North and South Waziristan, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan remain among the worst-affected areas, where the government’s presence appears fragile while militant networks continue to function with disturbing resilience.

It is important to recognize that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not confronting a new crisis. Between........

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