Pakistani Police Calls for Demilitarisation of Pakistan's Province Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Analysis

By Arun Anand 

Over the past few decades, a persistent concern has emerged from various state and non-state actors regarding the Pakistani military establishment's deliberate cultivation of terrorist networks to further its regional policy objectives. Despite the widespread acknowledgement of this troubling trend, the international community has largely failed to apply significant pressure on Pakistan to cease its support for these extremist entities. As Pakistan itself has increasingly become ensnared by the very forces it once nurtured—evidenced by a surge in terrorist groups that have now surpassed the control of Rawalpindi—Islamabad has adeptly deflected responsibility, often attributing blame to external actors.

A significant development unfolded recently when factions within Pakistan's security apparatus, particularly the provincial police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chose to lay down their arms in protest against the Pakistan Army and its intelligence agencies. These demonstrations, which centred on allegations regarding the military's involvement in fostering terrorism in Lakki Marwat and adjacent districts, signify a remarkable and unprecedented rejection of the army’s longstanding strategy of cultivating militant proxies. This act of defiance by the police force, coupled with their demand for the withdrawal of the Pakistan Army from their district, serves to starkly illuminate the military’s complicity in perpetuating terrorism within its borders. Furthermore, it underscores the widening rift between the Pakistani government and military elite and the Pashtun populace, who have witnessed the Pakistan Army increasingly criminalise political dissent in the province while employing heavy-handed tactics against civilians under the guise of combating terrorism.

Limited media reports have indicated that police personnel in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took to the streets in the Tajazai area, where district administration offices are situated, on September 9, 2024. The policemen effectively blocked the crucial Peshawar-Karachi Indus Highway, a vital artery connecting the southern districts with the provincial capital and other regions. This wave of protests was ignited by the targeted killings of three police officers in separate incidents perpetrated by armed assailants across the district on September 8 and 9. As the protests intensified, the Pakistani government largely censored news from the region, reflecting a broader pattern of suppressing dissent and obscuring the realities faced by law enforcement personnel in a region beset by violence.

Lakki Marwat, one of the 38 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is located in the southern part of the province, bordered by Karak and Bannu districts to the north, Tank to the west, Dera Ismail Khan to the south, and Mianwali district in Punjab to the east. Following the resurgence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Waziristan, the group has progressively expanded its influence into Lakki Marwat and neighbouring districts such as Bannu and Tank. In these regions, attacks targeting civilians, government officials, and state infrastructure have become alarmingly frequent. Reports from KPK Police indicate that “at least 75 policemen have been killed in ambushes and targeted killings” across the province in 2024 alone, with 25 fatalities occurring in August amidst a series of 29 attacks. This escalating violence not only underscores the growing operational reach of militant groups but also highlights the failures of the Pakistan Army and the increasing vulnerability of state security personnel within this volatile region.

The Lakki Marwat district police have attributed the surge in terrorism within the region to the Pakistan Army and its intelligence apparatus, accusing them of selectively nurturing militant groups, which they assert has directly contributed to the decline of law and order. During protests, officers who blocked the strategic Peshawar-Karachi Indus Highway insisted that they had “one demand and a one-point agenda: that the army should withdraw from the district and police should be reinstated with full authority.” These anti-army protests garnered support from tribal elders, local political factions, civil society members, and several KPK Provincial Assembly members, all echoing the police’s claims that the military and its intelligence services had facilitated the rise of militancy in the region. Notably, the unrest among police personnel spread to neighbouring districts, including Bajaur—where an on-duty officer was killed while protecting a polio vaccination team—as well as Bannu and Tank. This widespread discontent effectively positioned the KPK Police in direct confrontation with the Pakistan Army, marking a significant escalation in civil-military tensions throughout the province.

The Lakki Marwat police have dismissed the Pakistan Army’s purported counter-terrorism operations in the region as a mere facade, citing the uncontrollable rise in terrorist incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as evidence of their ineffectiveness. The police contend that these operations are superficial, arguing that the military establishment has, in reality, permitted these terrorist groups to operate with near impunity. Furthermore, they assert that the military’s direct interference in local law enforcement has systematically undermined police-led counterterrorism efforts, including exerting pressure to secure the release of captured terrorists, thereby facilitating the activities of militant groups. This situation reflects a broader crisis of accountability and trust between local law enforcement and the military, exacerbating the challenges faced in combating terrorism effectively within the province.

The police further substantiated their claims by highlighting the Pakistan Army’s ongoing refusal to relinquish authority over counterterrorism operations to local forces. Despite this, they remain the primary targets of militant attacks, suffering the brunt of violence while being excluded from the strategic decision-making process regarding counterterrorism efforts in the region. This exclusion, they argue, has not only hampered effective law enforcement but also revealed the military establishment’s underlying complicity in perpetuating instability. The police contend that this dynamic undermines their ability to combat terrorism effectively, as they are left vulnerable and without the necessary resources to address the escalating threat posed by militant groups operating with apparent impunity.

The demand by Lakki Marwat police for the withdrawal of the Pakistan Army and the transfer of full authority over counter-terrorism operations to local law enforcement agencies highlights a profound erosion of trust in the military establishment's competence and its dedication to resolving the security crisis. This call not only reflects discontent with the army's counter-terrorism strategy but also signals a broader loss of legitimacy, as the police and local populace increasingly perceive the military's involvement as detrimental. Notably, according to a preliminary agreement, the Pakistan Army has consented to scale down its presence in the region; however, it is highly improbable that they will relinquish complete control to the KPK Police. This development underscores the growing disconnect between the military and civilian institutions, as well as the need for a more inclusive and accountable approach to security in the province. As the police continue to tear the brunt of militant attacks while being sidelined from strategic decision-making, the legitimacy of the military's counter-terrorism efforts remains in question, necessitating a fundamental reassessment of its role and approach in the region.

The detention of KPK Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur by intelligence agencies for nearly eight hours on September 9, following his impassioned speech at a protest rally seeking the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, underscores the state's heavy-handed approach to dissent within the Pashtun belt. This development further exacerbates tensions and reinforces perceptions of marginalization among the Pashtun populace, highlighting the deepening divide between the Pakistani state and the broader Pashtun community. The convergence of these issues reflects a widening political and ethnic schism and a growing disillusionment with the military's role in governance and security. The state's actions, which appear to target Pashtun voices and suppress legitimate grievances, risk further alienating the Pashtun people and perpetuating a cycle of resentment and mistrust. As tensions escalate, the Pakistani government must engage in meaningful dialogue, address the underlying issues of discrimination and marginalization, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society that respects the rights and aspirations of all its citizens, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliations.

In the broader context, there can be no more definitive proof of the Pakistan Army’s complicity in nurturing terrorist groups than the severe accusations made by the Lakki Marwat police. Despite its official narrative of combating the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist factions, the Pakistan Army has consistently supported various elements within this broader network, often employing a selective approach that distinguishes between "good" and "bad" Taliban. Under this framework, groups over which the Pakistan Army and ISI maintain influence—those that commit to refraining from violence within Pakistan and can be leveraged for strategic purposes both domestically and internationally, particularly regarding Afghanistan, India, and Iran—are classified as "good Taliban." Conversely, factions that challenge the Pakistani state are labelled "bad Taliban," although this distinction is fluid and shifts based on mutual interests and geopolitical calculations. This duality not only complicates counterterrorism efforts but also raises questions about the military's genuine commitment to eradicating terrorism within its borders.

The revelations by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police regarding the military’s role in sustaining terrorism fundamentally challenge the foundations of Pakistan's counter-terrorism policy. If these serious accusations do not prompt a reckoning within Pakistan, with the public demanding accountability from the military establishment, and if the international community once again ignores them, the continuation of terrorism under state patronage is likely. This scenario highlights the risk that Pakistan’s selective engagement with extremist groups will not only destabilise the country but also threaten the broader region, reinforcing cycles of violence and undermining efforts for lasting peace. The implications of such a situation extend beyond national borders, potentially affecting regional security dynamics and international relations, as unchecked militancy could spill over into neighbouring countries. Thus, addressing these issues is crucial for both Pakistan’s stability and regional peace, necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of its strategies towards all militant factions operating within its territory.

Disclaimer: The paper is the author’s individual scholastic articulation and the facts and figures quoted are duly referenced, as needed, and are believed to be correct.

The writer is an author, columnist and distinguished fellow with Usanas Foundation. He has authored more than a dozen books.