A year marked by suicide bombings, leadership changes and growing instability comes to an end
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police has created its first-ever sniper team.
PESHAWAR:
As the year 2025 draws to a close, it leaves behind bitter memories of political turbulence and lingering terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The year was marked by deadly militant attacks, political uncertainty and repeated shocks to the province’s fragile governance and security structure.
Among the most tragic incidents were the suicide bombings at Darululoom Haqqania and the Border Police headquarters. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) leader Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani embraced martyrdom in a suicide attack, a loss that shook religious and political circles to the core.
Throughout the year, the southern districts and tribal areas remained the main targets of militant violence.
Politically, 2025 has proven to be an eventful year for the province. The political temperature remained high as the provincial government struggled to maintain stability, with persistent rumors of the governor’s rule circulating at different times. The year also saw a change in leadership when the PTI founding president dismissed the then chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and appointed Sohail Afridi as the new chief minister.
Just days before resigning, Ali Amin Gandapur reshuffled the provincial cabinet on October 2. However, even after his resignation, the process of swearing-in of the new chief minister became controversial, forcing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to approach the courts. Following court orders, the KP Governor administered oath to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The new chief minister faced further challenges as he did not get permission to meet the PTI founder president, complicating governance issues. As a result, the cabinet had to be formed without consultation with the party’s top leaders.
Alongside political instability, the security situation has deteriorated significantly. In Bajaur, an attack on the vehicle of a deputy commissioner claimed the lives of five people, including the police officer himself. The suicide attack in Darul Uloom Haqqania claimed the lives of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq and five others. During the year, the province witnessed eight suicide attacks and a total of 1,588 terrorist incidents.
Bannu district remained one of the worst affected areas, while Peshawar was also attacked with a major assault on the FC headquarters. Throughout 2025, the tribal belt and southern districts of KP continued to bear the brunt of militant violence.
As the year ends, KP is haunted by memories of bloodshed, political discord and a continuing struggle to restore peace and stability.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa saw a sharp rise in terrorism in 2025, with more than 500 attacks reported, a 50% increase from the previous year.
According to a detailed security assessment obtained by The Express PK Press Club, the province faced 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, reflecting a rapidly increasing militant threat in settled and tribal regions. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces managed to prevent 320 major strikes, while 137 police officers and staff lost their lives in the line of duty.
