The debate over the imposition of Governor’s Rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is being framed primarily as a political issue, but the reality is quite different. The reasons behind these measures are less political and more emotional. Political problems existed before and continued to exist. They were being tolerated. But the situation had now reached a point where Pakistan’s entire effort against terrorism was at stake. The state had no other option. Any state would have made the same decision. In fact, another state might have taken this step much earlier.

Pakistan has made enormous sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Its security forces and police personnel have suffered immense losses, while the country has paid a heavy financial price. These were no ordinary sacrifices. Pakistan brought terrorism under control at an enormous cost. Pakistan has been at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism, a role that has exacted an enormous price. No other state has sacrificed more than 90,000 lives or suffered economic losses exceeding $100 billion in this struggle.

According to estimates by the United Nations and independent assessments, more than 6,000 TTP terrorists are operating from Afghan territory, while........

© Daily Times