PESHAWAR—For years, terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has taken lives, displaced families and disrupted communities. One tragedy has followed another, leaving behind grieving families and a province that continues to carry the social and economic consequences of prolonged insecurity.
Yet the cost of terrorism is not measured only in lives lost or buildings damaged. Every attack can also weaken the local economy. Businesses close, investment slows, tourism suffers and employment opportunities disappear. For families already struggling to make ends meet, the loss of a breadwinner can create financial hardship that lasts for years.
This is why the economic impact of terrorism in KP deserves much greater attention. When a shopkeeper is forced to close a business, who compensates for the loss? When a worker loses his income, who supports the family? When investors lose confidence, who restores it? And when young people see fewer opportunities around them, who gives them a reason to believe in their economic future?
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These are not questions for one government department alone. They concern the federal government, the KP government, parliament, security institutions and every public body responsible for the social and economic wellbeing of citizens.
Security remains a fundamental requirement. But security alone cannot define peace. Peace should allow a child to attend school safely, a worker to travel to work, a trader to open a shop, a farmer to take produce to market and a young person to plan a future without fear.
That requires a broader response to terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Areas repeatedly affected by violence need sustained investment in infrastructure, support for businesses, employment opportunities and incentives that can encourage private investment. Families and businesses that suffer direct losses also need a reliable and transparent system of assistance.
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The sacrifices of police officers, soldiers and other security personnel deserve recognition. Many have lost their lives while protecting communities and maintaining the possibility of ordinary life. Their families have also carried a lasting burden.
But the resilience of civilians deserves recognition too. Despite years of insecurity, people continue to send their children to school, run shops, work in fields, trade goods and keep local economies moving. Their determination has helped communities survive circumstances that few societies should be expected to endure for so long.
Condolences after an attack are necessary, but they cannot be the end of the response. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa need safety, economic opportunity, employment and a credible path towards recovery.
The question is no longer only how many lives the province can afford to lose. It is also how much economic damage its people can continue to absorb.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already paid a heavy price. Any serious strategy for lasting peace must recognise that protecting people also means protecting their livelihoods, businesses and hopes for the future.
