The performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has significantly deteriorated over the past two years. Experts attribute this decline primarily to the flawed strategies and inadequate understanding of the province’s security situation by the current Additional IG CTD, Shaukat Abbas. Despite his Punjab origins and lack of prior experience as a District Police Officer (DPO), Shaukat Abbas was appointed to key positions in KP. During his tenure as the Regional Police Officer (RPO) of Dera Ismail Khan, he failed to deliver any notable achievements, yet he was surprisingly entrusted with the sensitive role of heading the CTD in the province. Under his leadership, the CTD, which previously conducted successful operations against terrorism despite limited resources, has faced severe challenges. Sources claim that a nexus between Additional IG CTD Shaukat Abbas and the Chief Minister’s brother, Faisal Amin Gandapur, has further damaged the department’s performance. Reports suggest that their focus has been on embezzlement and corruption in the department’s funds. Interestingly, the Chief Minister of KP had allocated billions of rupees to strengthen the CTD for effective counter-terrorism operations. However, sources allege that a significant portion of these funds has been lost to corruption, rendering the department unable to fulfill its primary responsibilities. Questions are being raised within government and police circles about the roles of Shaukat Abbas and Faisal Amin Gandapur. Will the people and institutions of KP be freed from this detrimental leadership? This remains an open question
