CM Afridi urges federal government to consult provincial government and tribal representatives before decisions on merged districts
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi attends the Grand Peace Jirga along with tribal elders in Peshawar on Saturday. Photo: X
Tribal elders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the National Assembly on Saturday categorically opposed any new military operation in the tribal districts in the ‘Grand Aman Jirga’, calling instead for dialogue, justice and development to ensure lasting peace in the region.
The Aman Jirga (Peace Assembly) held in Peshawar on Saturday brought together elders from Bajaur, Khyber and Waziristan along with PTI workers and community leaders carrying white flags inscribed with the message ‘Only Peace’. The jirga reiterated a united demand for stability through consultations and urged the federal government to respect the will of the people of the merged districts.
Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, who addressed the jirga in Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto, delivered a fiery speech rejecting any plans for renewed military operations in the region.
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“After 9/11, Pakistan became a battleground for operations and drone strikes. The state made promises to internally displaced persons (IDPs) that were never fulfilled. Now preparations for another operation are underway – we will not allow this,” Afridi declared.
He recalled that in 2018, tribal areas were declared ‘cleared’, with Khyber in particular noted as clear. “However, they were resettled despite our repeated warnings. We cannot be asked to make further sacrifices – do not exchange our lives for dollars,” he said.
Afridi urged the federal government to take both the provincial government and tribal representatives into confidence before taking any decision regarding the merged districts. “This time we will not be made a scapegoat,” he warned.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi, the Party Leaders, the Leaders, and the Leaders are present on the stage. The venue is completely decorated with green and white flags, they are symbols of love and peace.
All the tribal leaders, leaders and youth partners in the Khyber Peace Assembly… pic.twitter.com/wM5Heddybk
— PTI (@PTIofficial) 25 October 2025
The chief minister also demanded an early meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) and allocation of Rs 3.5 billion provincial funds. “Give us our due rights. We don’t want used vehicles; we want our fair share,” he said, switching to Punjabi to add: “Saada haq ithe rakh (give our right here).”
Afridi concluded his speech by announcing the convening of a Loya Aman Jirga (Grand Peace Assembly) soon to finalize the tribals’ collective position on future peace and security strategies.
Speaking at the gathering, tribal elder Malik Khan Marjan said terrorism can only be defeated through dialogue rather than military action. “All tribes stand with the chief minister. Decisions regarding the tribal areas will be taken by the tribal jirga itself,” he declared, adding that the elders were ready to engage with the provincial and federal governments, as well as the armed forces, under the leadership of CM Afridi.
MPA Abdul Ghani said Afridi’s appointment marked a moment of pride for the region. “After 77 years, a tribal son has again donned the Chief Minister’s turban,” he remarked, calling it a symbolic return of tribal representation.
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Senator Noorul Haq Qadri used the platform to warn against provoking neighboring Afghanistan, saying instability across the border could revive terrorism in the tribal belt. “If Afghanistan is disturbed again, terrorism will return to the tribal areas,” he warned.
Qadri also criticized PML-N leader and Information Minister Atta Tarar, accusing him of disrespecting the tribal community and trying to prevent Afridi’s election as chief minister. “There will come a time when we will respond to Atta Tarar,” he warned.
