CM Afridi rules out military operations

Says peace lies in dialogue, inclusive policies

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to resolving issues through dialogue, consultation, and social engagement, rejecting any military operations as a solution.

Speaking at the 45th provincial cabinet meeting on Monday, Afridi highlighted that the recently held Grand Peace Jirga in the provincial assembly received unanimous approval of a 15-point agenda, with all political, religious, and community representatives agreeing that military action is not a viable solution.

"The provincial government, under the leadership of Imran Khan, believes that the resolution of conflicts must be achieved through political, social, and consultative processes," Afridi said. He warned that any decisions imposed on the province behind closed doors would create widespread concern among stakeholders and emphasized that no individual or institution can enforce decisions by force.

He stressed that sustainable peace in K-P and Pakistan at large requires a comprehensive, inclusive, and jointly formulated policy involving all institutions, political and religious parties, tribal elders, and community leaders.

During the cabinet meeting, attended by provincial ministers, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, senior revenue officials, administrative secretaries, and the Advocate General, several important decisions were made concerning governance, social welfare, health, education, youth, and overseas Pakistanis.

Special Assistant for Information and Public Relations, Shafee Jan, briefed the media on the outcomes.

Among the key resolutions, the cabinet approved the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Properties) Act 2025, aimed at safeguarding the property rights of overseas Pakistanis and facilitating speedy resolution of related disputes. A "martyrs' package" for excise, taxation, and narcotics staff was also assigned to a cabinet committee, with instructions to develop a comprehensive policy for all uniformed forces.

The cabinet sanctioned the purchase of buses for the Special Education Complex in Hayatabad and for children under the care of the Zamung Kor program. Social Welfare was directed to take special measures for homeless individuals during the winter and ensure arrangements for tourists in hill districts. Irrigation funds of Rs900 million were approved for flood mitigation through effective cleaning campaigns, guided by meteorological forecasts.

The government allocated Rs6 million to hold the Grand Kurram Youth Convention, emphasizing the importance of engaging youth in national and provincial dialogue to promote unity. Other approvals included vehicle purchases for national parks, wildlife projects, and forestry staff in merged districts, as well as annual maintenance reporting for all provincial government vehicles.

In higher education, the cabinet approved bringing Cadet College Lucky Marwat under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Educational and Training Institutions Ordinance 1971 and upgrading librarians' posts through the Fortier formula. Financial assistance was also sanctioned for two patients, along with Rs448 million for structural heart and cardiac transplant programs, dialysis machine replacements, and continued staffing of nurses and clinical technicians in MTI hospitals. Four independent directors were appointed to the K-P Minerals Development and Management Company.

Afridi concluded by reiterating that collaborative, inclusive policy-making is the only path to lasting peace, warning that decisions made behind closed doors would neither ensure security nor public trust.