ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief, Gen Asim Munir, on Monday promised to eliminate militancy from the South Asian country, the military said, as the army commander visited the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province that has witnessed a surge in attacks in recent months.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP, which borders Afghanistan, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the state broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
On Monday, Gen. Munir visited the provincial capital of Peshawar, where he was given a briefing on the prevailing security situation and the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
“The enemy may try to sow discord and fear, but we will not relent. Hostile elements will be dealt with an iron hand,” he was quoted as saying by the ISPR. “They will continue to suffer heavy losses, and their capacity to inflict harm will be decimated.”
The army chief said that any attempt to disturb the peace of the nation would be met with “decisive and overwhelming force,” praising the unwavering resolve and sacrifices of armed forces and law enforcement agencies
“Through their dedication, courage, and supreme sacrifices, we have successfully degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist organizations, both within our borders and beyond,” he said.
“Our forces have relentlessly pursued and eliminated key terrorist leaders, dismantled their infrastructure, and neutralized their cells, sending a clear message that terror has no place in our land. This war is ongoing and we would take it to its logical conclusion.”
The visit by the army chief came two days after Pakistani security forces killed nine militants in two separate engagements in KP’s North Waziristan district, which borders Afghanistan.
Islamabad has frequently blamed the surge in militancy on Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Separately, Gen. Munir interacted with members of various political parties, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in Peshawar.
“The political representatives showed vivid clarity on unflinching support of the armed forces and LEAs in nation’s fight against terror and agreed on the need for a unified front beyond political colors against the extremist philosophy of terrorist groups,” the ISPR added.
Pakistan army chief vows to root out militancy on visit to troubled northwest
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Pakistan army chief vows to root out militancy on visit to troubled northwest
- Pakistan has struggled to contain militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, since its truce with Pakistani Taliban broke down in 2022
- Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks, Kabul denies the allegation
Pakistan launches cashless Ramadan market in Islamabad to promote digital payments
- Pilot market allows shoppers to buy subsidized food using digital payments
- Initiative aims to improve transparency and public relief during Ramadan
KARACHI: Pakistan has launched a cashless subsidized Ramadan food market in the capital Islamabad, the interior ministry said on Wednesday, introducing digital payments for essential goods as authorities try to improve transparency and affordability during the Muslim holy month.
The facility in the G-6 Aabpara area allows citizens to purchase vegetables, fruit and staple food items at regulated prices without cash, part of a broader push toward digitizing subsidy delivery.
Ramadan bazaars, which are temporary and often state-supported markets, are set up across Pakistan each year to limit price spikes as demand rises during fasting hours and evening meals.
Ramadan is likely to start on Feb. 19 in Pakistan.
“The objective is to provide the public affordable and quality items. No negligence in public relief will be tolerated,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
Officials said the market will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes private vendors under monitoring mechanisms to ensure goods are sold according to wholesale market rates.
Authorities also instructed administrators to strengthen cleanliness, security and complaint-handling systems and ensure price lists are prominently displayed.
Pakistan last year launched its first-ever cashless weekly market in Islamabad, but slow Internet speeds and patchy phone connectivity have hampered adoption among vendors and shoppers.
The government plans to turn Islamabad into Pakistan’s first fully cashless city, using QR-code payments to formalize retail transactions, reduce tax evasion and improve documentation in one of South Asia’s most informally run economies.
Pakistan relies heavily on cash, enabling widespread tax evasion and limiting financial transparency. Economists say expanding digital payments can raise government revenues, curb corruption, and make marketplaces safer for customers and traders.
Pakistan has increasingly experimented with targeted subsidies and digital systems to manage food affordability during Ramadan, when consumption rises sharply and lower-income households face pressure after years of high inflation.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a Rs38 billion ($136 million) Ramadan relief package, pledging direct digital cash transfers of Rs13,000 ($47) each to 12.1 million low-income families across Pakistan.
The government will distribute the relief package through bank accounts and regulated mobile wallet platforms, fully replacing the previous utility store-based subsidy model with a digital payment mechanism overseen by the State Bank of Pakistan.
