Afridi calls for the involvement of tribal elders, political leaders, in decisions regarding military operations
KP CM Sohail Afridi. Photo: Screengrab
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday criticized military operations in the province, saying they were imposed without the consent of the provincial government or the assembly.
Following an increase in unrest and escalating security concerns, a large-scale displacement is underway in the Tirah Valley, with thousands of families leaving their homes for safer areas, including Bara and Peshawar.
The Chief Minister spoke about the situation while presiding over the 46th Provincial Council meeting today. “The provincial government has not allowed permission for any military operations in KP. However, these military operations are being imposed without the approval of the provincial assembly or the government,” he said.
Afridi called for the involvement of all stakeholders, including tribal elders and political and religious leaders, in decisions regarding military operations in the province.
He said that despite 22 major operations and 14,000 intelligence operations, terrorism had not been eliminated. “The security forces are our protectors but complaints are coming from our own people. On one hand terrorists kill and on the other hand civilians become martyrs as collateral damage. There is a need for legislation regarding civilian casualties in drone and airstrikes,” CM Afridi added.
Accusing the federal government of not providing support, he said it had not released funds promised to internally displaced persons (IDPs), forcing the provincial government to spend Rs7.5 billion from its own resources so far.
“After the announcement of operations, the people of KP were displaced and left under the responsibility of the province, which put a heavy financial burden on provincial resources. So far, Rs10 billion has been spent and losses of up to Rs100 billion are feared,” he added. Afridi also highlighted broader economic challenges.
“Close-door decisions have made GDP fall from 6.1% to 2-3%. Loans have increased from Rs 43 trillion to Rs 80 tr. Due to unemployment and inflation, young people are leaving the country,” he said.
He also claimed that a recent incident in Radio Pakistan was a conspiracy against his party, Paistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. “A special committee in the provincial assembly has been formed to look into the Radio Pakistan incident. A meeting has already taken place,” the chief minister said.
Afridi criticized the federal government for keeping former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement, calling the move “unfair” and a violation of fundamental rights.
He said Imran had been held in solitary confinement for more than 90 days without access to family or friends. He said Bushra Bibi was also kept in solitary confinement and was not allowed to meet her family.
“It is cruel not to provide Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi with winter clothes. The so-called government is breaking all records for dictatorship,” he said.
Afridi accused the federal government of treating KP unfairly, comparing its approach to that of a “stepmother”. He said the province had decided to reinstate Action-to-Aid for Civilian Power, but delays had occurred because of the federal government’s failure to provide details about terrorist detention centers.
“The lack of information on terrorist detainees could raise security concerns if action-to-assistance-for-civilian-power is withdrawn,” he added.
The chief minister also criticized the federal government’s use of the Anti-Terrorism Act to ban political parties, calling it inappropriate. He said officials had been directed to go through the list of political workers included under Fourth Schedule and provide relief where necessary.
Highlighting delays in the Northern Bypass project, which has been stalled since 2010, Afridi said the cost had increased from Rs3 billion to Rs31 billion. He said the provincial government had contributed Rs5 billion to speed up the project.
The chief minister also announced the formation of a special provincial assembly committee to investigate alleged electoral fraud in the February 8, 2024 elections. He confirmed that provincial employees would be summoned for questioning and stressed that while security forces remained respected protectors, accountability measures would target internal administrative lapses.
Briefing the media, Shafi Jan, a special assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, outlined important cabinet decisions.
These included introducing artificial intelligence education in schools, promoting youth activities, improving the judicial infrastructure, prison reforms and approving funds for development and relief initiatives. In particular, Rs2,684 million was sanctioned to upgrade prison facilities and modernize security arrangements across the province.
The meeting was attended by cabinet members and senior officials, underscoring the provincial government’s commitment to address both security and public welfare.
The Chief Minister also visited Peshawar Medical Complex to check on people injured in an incident in Tirah and ordered them to get the best medical care.
