Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Photo: File
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that if the authorities really want to eradicate terrorism, they will sit with them, consult them and formulate a common policy.
“Sustainable and lasting politics can be achieved only if decisions are taken openly by involving the KP government, stakeholders, public and local elders,” Afridi, who belongs to PTI, said on Wednesday while addressing the convocation ceremony of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University.
“Such a policy will play a crucial role in establishing peace. Otherwise, decisions made behind closed doors will result in people being left to wander helplessly,” he added.
The KP chief minister was apparently reacting to the press conference of the military’s top spokesman, who said on Tuesday that the political environment in KP was conducive to terrorism.
The CM said that people have already witnessed the damage caused by past military operations and these painful stories are still fresh in their minds.
He said preparations for another military operation were underway again.
The CM said that more than 22 military operations and over 14,000 intelligence-based operations have already been conducted in KP, but terrorism has not been eliminated. “Even the government itself admits that terrorists still exist,” he said.
He said that when they point out that terrorists are entering the region, reaching the mountains, markets and even homes, they are accused of spreading propaganda.
He added that all speeches and statements of PTI leader Murad Saeed on this issue are on record. “Even now, if another military operation is launched, the nation must be taken into confidence, which has not been done,” he said.
Recalling previous operations, he said schools, colleges, hospitals, homes, mosques and houses were destroyed and entire communities were uprooted.
“We left our home with just two days’ notice and sacrificed for Pakistan because at that time it seemed that the country needed our sacrifices and we gave it,” he said.
He added that before military operations, there was not a single beggar – male or female – among the Afridi tribes. But after the operations, due to drone strikes, jet bombings and suicide attacks, entire families, including male heads of households, were martyred, leaving only women. “When we see our sisters begging on the streets today, it hurts us deeply,” he said.
He said that they have already seen the consequences of military operations and have repeatedly sacrificed for Pakistan. “Even now, if necessary, we will not hesitate to sacrifice ourselves again,” he said, adding that there was a difference of intent.
The CM lamented that instead of eliminating terrorism, talks are being held to eliminate PTI and its founding chairman Imran Khan.
He clarified that for the abolition of terrorism and for the sake of the country, they are again ready to make sacrifices and even leave their homes if necessary.
The chief minister said there is a certain mindset – one he repeatedly refers to – which does not want KP to progress or its children to receive education.
“They don’t like to see a pen in the hands of our children because we have always been taught ‘B for bandook (gun)’. But, God willing, we will teach ‘Q for qalam (pen), not ‘B for bandook’.”
Addressing female students, he said that the mindset that dreams of sending their mothers and sisters to caves would be defeated. “God willing, your brother will secure your education, give you employment and stand by you,” he said.
He assured that women who have completed their education and skilled women would be fully supported and helped in every possible way. “Have faith and do not be afraid,” he said.
