By: Muhammad Ijaz Afridi
PESHAWAR: The deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marked by a rise in terrorism, has now begun to threaten key national and international agreements. In a recent development, the federal government has expressed serious concerns over a terrorist attack targeting a 500 kV transmission line of the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) power project in Bara Tehsil, Khyber district.
The CASA-1000 project is a major regional initiative aimed at transferring surplus electricity from Central Asia—primarily Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan—to South Asia, particularly Pakistan and Afghanistan. Supported by the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, the project is critical for regional energy cooperation and sustainable development.
According to a letter issued by the Ministry of Energy’s Power Division and addressed to the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saboteurs used explosives on July 26, 2025, to severely damage one of the towers supporting the high-voltage transmission line. The blast compromised the structural integrity of the tower, posing a serious risk of collapse and disrupting a project that is vital to the national grid, particularly during peak summer months from May to September.
The letter warned that the attack is not just a threat to Pakistan’s energy infrastructure but also endangers the broader regional cooperation framework that underpins the CASA-1000 project. “This is not merely an act of sabotage against infrastructure; it is an attack on national security and on international agreements signed with partner countries,” the letter emphasised.
Following the federal government’s warning, the Chief Secretary of KP has forwarded the matter to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, directing immediate and effective action. Law enforcement agencies and the local administration have been urged to identify and arrest the perpetrators to prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has initiated urgent repair work to restore the damaged transmission line, and a formal report has been filed with local authorities.
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Officials have reiterated that such attacks could severely undermine not only national energy security but also regional confidence in joint development initiatives. The federal government has urged provincial authorities to ensure maximum security for critical infrastructure, particularly those tied to international commitments.
