Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi commenced his visit to Sindh on Friday, telling journalists that he opposed all terrorist outfits, not just the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The clarification follows a press conference by military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who had alleged the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has a “soft corner” for the TTP and is hampering counter-terrorism efforts. Similarly, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar had described the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the “political wing” of the TTP.
In a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Afridi said he was committed to addressing the issue of terrorism in his province. “I will meet [P.M. Shehbaz Sharif] 100%. I will meet him because my province is being affected by terrorism,” he said, lamenting that the unrest was “reversing” the province’s development. He said all stakeholders, including the provincial and federal governments and law enforcement agencies, must unite to tackle terrorism.
“A decision made collectively, with our input included, will be effective,” he maintained.
The chief minister’s visit to Sindh, where he is due to address public gatherings in Karachi and Hyderabad, is part of the PTI’s “street movement,” as ordered by incarcerated party founder Imran Khan. Last month he had visited Punjab capital Lahore for similar purposes.
Comparing the two visits, Afridi regretted he was “mistreated” in Punjab. “In Lahore, wherever we went to eat, the market would be shut,” he claimed, adding he had seen the legacy of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Karachi. He noted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had assured him of cooperation during his visit, adding he would likewise accord full respect and hospitality if his counterpart visited KP.
The chief minister maintained welfare initiatives such as programs under Ehsaas are ongoing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, providing free medical treatment of up to Rs. 2 million to citizens. He reiterated allegations the federation is not releasing the province’s due share of funds, claiming it could progress more than other provinces if these funds were provided.
Arrival in Karachi
Earlier, upon his arrival to Karachi, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Saeed Ghani welcomed Afridi at the airport, presenting him with a Sindhi topi and Ajrak.
The chief minister also reiterated that he would address a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, claiming this would be the “largest rally” in the city’s history. While verbal permission for the same has been granted by provincial ministers, the district administration has made it contingent on security clearance from the federal government.
Afridi is also due to meet his Sindh counterpart on Jan. 12 (Monday) prior to concluding his visit.