Restoring lasting peace in Waziristan is a top priority for the government, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, as he visited the restive northwestern region of Waziristan—for the first since taking office—amid growing attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The visit is significant as it comes as the country faces its biggest internal security challenge in the region in the wake of an emboldened TTP, a banned group, also known as the Pakistan Taliban, which has killed over 100 Pakistan security forces members this year alone.

In March, the TTP claimed 53 attacks and the figure has already crossed 40 in this month alone. The attacks intensified since the Afghan Taliban took over the next door and its attempts to negotiate peace between the government and the insurgent group failed.

The newly elected prime minister visited Miramshah, the headquarters of the North Waziristan district, along with Army Chief General Qamar Javad Bajwa and other top commanders, reported Dawn. Mounting casualties are also affecting morale among security forces.

While meeting with local leaders, Sharif also announced that he will convene a grand jirga, a traditional assembly of tribal elders, in Islamabad to find a solution to the emerging challenges.

He also praised the armed forces and their sacrifices in the region for the cause of maintaining peace and democracy.

The presence of almost all senior ministers and top army commanders in the restive region also indicates the government is cautious of emerging challenges and low morale among security forces. Apart from security forces, the TTP in recent weeks has also started targeting local government employees.

Last week, Pakistan had reportedly carried out a series of strikes in Afghan provinces along the Af-Pak border to target the TTP militants. Later, Pakistan condemned the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups and said the interim Afghan government, despite giving repeated assurance, failed to deny space to militants.

Isolated in the international community, the unrecognized interim government of Afghanistan appears reticent in taking coercive measures against the TTP, with which it shares ideological and fraternal ties. (SAM)