A year marked by suicide attacks, leadership changes, and deepening instability comes to a close
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police have established its first-ever Sniper Squad.
PESHAWAR:
As 2025 draws to a close, it leaves behind bitter memories of political turbulence and persistent terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The year was marred by deadly militant attacks, political uncertainty, and repeated shocks to the province’s fragile governance and security structure.
Among the most tragic incidents were suicide bombings at Darululoom Haqqania and the Frontier Constabulary Headquarters. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) leader Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani embraced martyrdom in a suicide attack, a loss that deeply shook religious and political circles.
Throughout the year, southern districts and tribal areas remained prime targets of militant violence.
Politically, 2025 proved to be a turbulent year for the province. The political temperature remained high as the provincial government struggled to maintain stability, with persistent rumours of governor’s rule circulating at different times. The year also witnessed a change in leadership when the PTI founding chairman removed then chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur from office and nominated Sohail Afridi as the new chief minister.
Just days before stepping down, Ali Amin Gandapur reshuffled the provincial cabinet on October 2. However, even after his resignation, the process of administering the oath to the new chief minister became controversial, forcing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to approach the courts. Following court orders, the governor of K-P administered the oath to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The new chief minister faced further challenges as he was not granted permission to meet the PTI founding chairman, complicating governance matters. As a result, the cabinet had to be formed without consultation with the party’s top leadership.
Alongside political instability, the security situation deteriorated sharply. In Bajaur, an attack on the vehicle of an assistant commissioner claimed five lives, including the officer himself. The suicide bombing at Darul Uloom Haqqania claimed the lives of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq and five others. Over the course of the year, the province witnessed eight suicide attacks and a total of 1,588 incidents of terrorism.
Bannu district remained one of the worst-affected areas, while Peshawar also came under attack with a major assault on the FC Headquarters. Throughout 2025, the tribal belt and southern districts of K-P continued to bear the brunt of militant violence.
As the year ends, K-P stands haunted by memories of bloodshed, political discord, and an ongoing struggle to restore peace and stability.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa experienced a significant surge in terrorism during 2025, with over 500 attacks reported, marking a 50 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
According to a detailed security assessment obtained by The Express Tribune, the province faced 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, reflecting a rapidly escalating militant threat across both settled and tribal regions. Despite the rise in attacks, security forces managed to prevent 320 major strikes, while 137 police officers and personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty.
