Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday rejected a statement issued by the federal government claiming the displacement of Tirah Valley residents was not imposed by the military, declaring it “misleading and factually incorrect.”
Addressing public gatherings in connection with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s “street movement,” Afridi demanded the center withdraw its notification and issue an apology, warning he will otherwise convene a Jirga of the region’s Afridi tribe to respond.
Accusing Islamabad of trying to sow divisions between the PTI-led provincial government and state institutions, the chief minister said he would not let such designs succeed. He also pledged to document all future communications with the federal government in writing.
Earlier, the Information Ministry had issued a statement taking notice of “misleading claims” regarding evacuations from Tirah Valley, allegedly on the orders of the Army. Describing such claims as baseless, malicious, and driven by ulterior motives to panic citizens and malign security agencies, the statement maintained that neither the center, nor the Army had issued any such order.
According to the statement, the “voluntary movement” of people of Tirah Valley reflected their personal preference. It cited a jirga convened at the district level as proof of its assertions, noting the notification for the displacement was issued by the local administration.
The chief minister, referring to the statement, had alleged it was a “denial of facts,” adding the residents of Tirah Valley were “forced” to evacuate due to the policies of the incumbent federal government. He maintained he would not allow the center to use “Pashtun regions” as a test for its flawed policies. “These people [center] impose decisions made in closed rooms, and when those decisions fail, they step back. Decisions imposed in secrecy often collapse when confronted with reality,” he claimed.
During his various rallies across KP, Afridi also maintained that the public was ready for the PTI’s “street movement.” He alleged that the center’s statement was an effort to derail the public confidence in the PTI. He further alleged—without any evidence—that his life was in danger.
Residents of Tirah Valley started evacuating their homes on Jan. 9, amidst reports of a planned military operation to oust terrorists hiding in the region. According to the provincial government, they are supposed to begin returning to their homes in April.