Peace Starts with Resolve

Publishing date: 15 November 2025

Published in: The Nation

The recent intelligence-based operation in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in 22 terrorists being killed, marks a notable success in the fight against militancy. Such decisive action is not only commendable, it is absolutely critical for restoring and maintaining peace in regions long afflicted by insurgency and violence.

Rooting out militant elements is fundamental to securing the country and enabling its people to move beyond a perpetual state of fear. The mere presence and operations of such groups carry immense economic costs: destroyed infrastructure, disrupted trade, displaced communities, and the redirecting of national resources from development to defence. Each militant cell eradicated represents not only fewer bombs and IEDs but also fewer years of fragility, disrupted schooling, and untapped human potential.

Encouragingly, the civil-military leadership of the country appears united in purpose. This singular focus must translate into sustained momentum, intelligence gathering, local cooperation, border management, and follow-through sweeps. But success is not measured merely by the number of terrorists eliminated. It will be gauged by the restoration of normalcy: secure schools, revived commerce, and communities once again able to plan their future rather than merely survive the present.

As Pakistan advances in this campaign, the message is clear: terrorism will be confronted, tolerated no longer, and peace will be reclaimed. The people deserve nothing less.