Afridi opposes drone strikes, military ops

CM tells Charsadda rally decisions rest with people, not behind closed doors

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi told a large rally in Charsadda on Friday that drone strikes and army operations are unacceptable, saying he will implement the founding chairman's vision across the province and the country.

Citing recent violence, he referred to the killing of an SP and a soldier in Hangu and warned that decisions made behind closed doors would no longer be tolerated.

"No decision will be taken without the approval of the KP Assembly and the people," he said.

He maintained that attempts to intimidate him into standing down will fail, insisting his life and loyalty belong to the people. Afridi said he had been warned not to visit Charsadda and Khyber because "you will be killed," but he replied that his existence and every decision are for the public, not for personal safety.

Addressing the gathering, also attended by provincial PTI president Junaid Akbar, Arif Muhammadzai, Fazal Muhammad Khan and other lawmakers, Afridi said he accepted his mandate in the name of the party's Founding Chairman and any reforms or actions he undertakes would be with the Founding Chairman's permission. He accused authorities of preventing him from meeting the founding chairman despite court orders and letters he has written to the Punjab and federal governments and the Prime Minister seeking permission for that meeting.

"Even though the court ordered it, I have not been allowed to meet the founding chairman. Now the people will decide," Afridi told the rally. He said that from the day his name surfaced for the chief ministership critics claimed he would fail, calling him a child and accusing him of being linked to terrorists, labels he rejected as irrelevant.

His primary concern, he said, is whether the public accepts him.

He urged party workers to prepare for action, saying the leadership will soon issue a plan of action and that efforts will be made to secure the release of the founding chairman from jail. Afridi announced his intention to travel to Khyber the following day and appealed to the public to turn out in support.

Chief Minister Afridi's first public gathering in Charsadda faced significant delay and mismanagement. The rally, scheduled for 3 pm, began late as the Chief Minister arrived after 4:30 pm Due to the approaching evening hours, several senior party leaders, including Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Babar Saleem Swati, could not address the crowd.

Meanwhile, party workers attempted to climb onto the stage, leading to scuffles, during which the stage stairs broke.

Separately, the Chief Minister is scheduled to address a jirga in Bara, Khyber district today to discuss law and order in the region. He will also hold a public meeting in Karak tomorrow as part of his ongoing political engagements across the province.