Announces grand tribal Loya Jirga for Saturday, plans to introduce legislation for lawsuits over drone damage
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addresses the provincial assembly on Thursday and calls for an end to drone strikes. SCREEN GRAB
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly unanimously passed three bills on Thursday as Chief Minister Sohail Afridi appealed for cross-party cooperation to stop drone strikes in terror-hit areas.
The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, saw the passage of the KP Assembly Powers, Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2026 along with two related bills regulating Speaker and Members’ salaries and allowances.
Law Minister Aftab Alam introduced all three and incorporated an amendment from Pakistan People’s Party leader Ahmed Kundi.
Speaker Swati declared the moment a turning point in the history of the province.
“Constitutional requirements delayed since 1973 have been met,” he said. “This assembly has achieved in two years what could not be achieved in the last 50 years.”
He thanked National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and his own team for modernizing rules that had remained untouched since 1974.
Read: KP jirga rejects drone strike, announces emergency meeting
However, the most charged moment of the session came when CM Afridi spoke out against drone strikes. “For three days, drones circled my house,” he revealed. “Whenever I announce a visit to Punjab or plan a rally, the attacks begin.”
He acknowledged legal limitations, noting that he could not bring suit against drone strikes because of constitutional protections. He did, however, announce plans to introduce legislation allowing lawsuits for injuries caused by drones.
“When civilians are harmed by drones, I receive messages saying ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘this is unfortunate’ – mere words are not enough,” he said.
CM Afridi recited poetry in the gathering and declared that he did not fear difficulties and challenges. “The real test is to navigate the ship to land in adverse conditions,” he said, promising to steer the province through crises despite all obstacles.
Afridi argued that drone strikes did not reduce terrorism but instead fueled it. “Innocent citizens, especially children, are affected, which breeds grief, anger and a desire for revenge among the people,” he warned.
Announcing a grand tribal Loya Jirga for Saturday, the chief minister sought the opposition’s support for a joint action plan. “I will continue to raise my voice for the rights of the people of this province, even if it costs me my seat or my life,” he vowed.
Speaker Swati concluded by emphasizing that legislation remained the exclusive constitutional authority of the Assembly.
“Courts can only interpret. No limits can be placed on this power,” he said, cementing what many called a defining session for KP’s parliamentary future.
