Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday claimed the resurgence of terrorism in his province was the result of “flawed policies of the federal government,” as he accused the center of withholding war-on-terror funds and other constitutional dues owed to KP.
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, he urged the federal government to release funds in a timely manner, saying this was essential for the provincial administration to strengthen its police force and effectively combat terrorism. Maintaining that he did not assume the leadership of the province to “govern in the traditional way,” he vowed zero tolerance for corruption and warned anyone found involved in corrupt practices of strict action.
“All government officials are public servants,” he said. “If citizens are dissatisfied with any officer, that officer will not retain their position. I have not come to govern in the traditional way. We must work differently so that people feel their vote for PTI has truly brought change,” he added.
Praising the provincial bureaucracy and police who had ensured the people’s mandate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite pressure, he directed the chief secretary to identify individuals who had not resisted and take strict action.
In his statement, Afridi asserted that the PTI is governing KP under the leadership of incarcerated founder Imran Khan. He said it was the civil administration’s duty to implement the PTI’s agenda. “I will make tough decisions to implement our party’s agenda, and they must be enforced,” he said, assuring no political figure would face arrest under Section 3 of the MPO, and no political FIRs would be registered for revenge.
He said freedom of expression and constructive criticism are constitutional rights, vowing KP’s political culture would be protected. He said law and order was among the government’s top priorities, and pledged to provide funds and modern equipment to police. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of KP Police, praying for their families, and acknowledging that “for decades, KP Police have made unmatched sacrifices in the war against terrorism.”
He directed police to not book any student in FIRs, adding no citizen should be targeted for personal or political revenge. “KP Police must never become like Punjab Police,” he said, adding torture in prisons would not be tolerated.
The chief minister ordered the creation of special housing enclaves for police personnel and media professionals in provincial housing schemes.
During the meeting, Afridi criticized the federal interior ministry for providing “substandard” bulletproof vehicles to KP Police, terming it “an insult to the force,” and ordering their return to the center. He directed the restoration of security for former chief ministers to ensure their protection and dignity.
The chief minister’s decision prompted a response from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, who dubbed the move “immature.” In a press statement, he questioned the provincial administration’s use of Rs. 600 billion provided for counter-terrorism efforts, maintaining the vehicles provided were of “international standard.”
He said the vehicles were intended for use by police in high-risk zones and could be effective in the fight against terrorism. Similar vehicles, he maintained, were in use of federal ministers and senior officials in terror-affected areas. He lamented that the KP government preferred to deploy its police officers and soldiers unprotected into dangerous areas.
“The brave officers and personnel of the KP Police are being thrown before terrorists without adequate protection,” he said. “The federal interior minister provided these vehicles in recognition of their sacrifices, as they stand in the frontlines of the war against terrorism. These vehicles were meant to safeguard our soldiers and intensify the fight against militancy,” he added.
“Such people becoming chief ministers is an injustice to the public,” he said. “This immature and naive thinking is endangering the lives of police officers. It seems the provincial government is not interested in the complete elimination of terrorists,” he added.
Meeting with Khan
The chief minister, per the statement, also announced the establishment of a Tribal Medical College and a Tribal University of Modern Sciences with campuses across all merged districts, along with tehsil-level playgrounds, a Safe City Project, and the Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Investigative and Modern Journalism. He also directed preparations for a Peshawar Revival and Development Plan.
Later, addressing the provincial assembly, Afridi said he would use all legal and constitutional means to meet Imran Khan, adding he would take his case to the public if the meeting did not materialize. He said he would address crowds in Charsadda on Oct. 24, in Khyber on Oct. 25 and in Karak on Oct. 26, reiterating he would form his cabinet only after meeting Khan.