Governance reform key to Pakistan’s security, says ISPR chief

Pakistan’s military leadership has emphasized that governance reform is essential to achieving lasting security, warning that weak institutions and political instability remain central challenges in the country’s counterterrorism efforts. During a detailed press briefing on Friday, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry highlighted the need for effective administration, rule of law, and stronger civilian institutions to combat militancy and address long-standing grievances. The briefing, which focused on the security situation in Balochistan, underscored the limitations of security operations alone in resolving the country’s deep-rooted issues.

Counterterrorism enters intense phase

Security forces conducted 40,348 intelligence-based operations in 2026, involving the army, police, civil armed forces, and intelligence agencies, according to the DG ISPR. Over 31,000 of these operations were carried out in Balochistan, where militant attacks, separatist violence, and development challenges have persisted. During the same period, Pakistan recorded 3,145 terrorism incidents, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounting for the majority. The military spokesperson noted that 2,084 terrorists were killed, averaging around 10 militants eliminated daily. However, the human cost remained significant, with 819 Pakistanis killed in terrorism-related incidents, including civilians, law enforcement officials, and military personnel.

Reforms and political consensus

The DG ISPR linked the success of Pakistan’s National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism to governance reforms, emphasizing that the plan, developed through political consensus, included 14 key elements. These included countering extremist narratives, choking terror financing, controlling illegal activities, and improving law enforcement capacity. He stressed that effective governance was essential for the plan’s success, noting that political parties must lead discussions on administrative reforms. Good governance is quintessential for Pakistan, and without it, none of the country’s issues could be resolved.

Addressing the Balochistan issue, the DG ISPR argued that the province’s problems were not solely linked to terrorism but also to governance gaps, economic disparities, and resistance to social change. He identified “elitism and sardarism” and attempts to preserve old power structures as contributing factors to instability. The military spokesperson stressed that the state’s response must combine security operations with direct engagement with citizens, development initiatives, and strengthening public institutions. A hard state does not mean military dominance but rather a system where constitutional authority, equality before the law, and justice prevail.

The briefing underscored Pakistan’s dual challenge: defeating armed groups on the battlefield while addressing governance weaknesses that allow insecurity, mistrust, and instability to persist. The military leadership’s message was clear: counterterrorism requires more than weapons and operations. It requires functioning institutions, political consensus, and a governance system capable of delivering security, justice, and development to citizens. As the country continues its long struggle against terrorism, the need for comprehensive reform has never been more urgent.