K-P CM Afridi rejects military criticism, warns against repeat of operations

CM says past operations devastated province as DG ISPR links rising terror to ‘politically permissive environment’

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi became emotional on Wednesday while responding to criticism from the military leadership over his government’s counterterrorism stance, saying he has already seen the devastation caused by past military operations and does not want them repeated.

Addressing the convocation of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University in Peshawar, Afridi addressed remarks made a day earlier by Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who questioned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s narrative on counterterrorism and linked rising militant violence in the province to what he described as a “politically permissive environment” for terrorists.

At his press conference, the military spokesperson said 80 per cent of terrorist incidents in the country had taken place in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He played video clips of senior PTI leaders, including Afridi, and displayed screenshots of statements attributed to PTI founder Imran Khan, questioning their opposition to military operations.

Taking a dig at PTI, the DG ISPR said a political-terror nexus was behind the surge in attacks in the province. He said the party was “resisting” counterterrorism efforts at every forum and “seeking help from Afghanistan.”

Read: DG ISPR blames K-P's political environment for terror spike

Questioning PTI’s stance, he said thousands of terrorist incidents had already occurred in the province. “And this is what you are talking about? There is neither reason nor logic – it is merely political rhetoric,” he said. “We have to win the war against terrorism at all costs. We have to win this war with strength.”

Afridi criticised what he called the mindset behind the press conference, saying he was “deeply hurt” by suggestions that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was being pushed back towards terrorism. He warned that decisions taken behind closed doors could be dangerous, noting that preparations for military operations had been under way.

Recalling the impact of previous operations, the chief minister said: “Our schools, hospitals, and homes were damaged. Before the military operations, not a single person was begging. People were killed in drone strikes and explosions. Seeing our women forced to beg brings shame. Yet we are ready to make sacrifices again to eliminate terrorism.”

The chief minister said families whose homes were destroyed had been promised Rs400,000 in compensation per household, but many had still not received the money. “This is nothing short of a mockery of my province and its people,” he added.

Read more: Three killed, several injured in two separate firing incidents in Bannu

Becoming visibly emotional, he said: “I am standing with you. We will provide education and employment. If you see tears in my eyes, they are for your future--not out of fear. Those who claim K-P is being pushed back into the mountains, we will give development instead.”

Afridi also asserted that the operations were being politicised, claiming there was a difference in intentions and that “only the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, is being targeted.”

He began his speech with a verse – “The pen is in my hand, and enlightenment in my mind” – and urged graduating students to serve the province and the country.

The chief minister also criticised the use of English during the ceremony, expressing displeasure that the vice chancellor delivered her address in English. “All universities have been instructed that our national language is Urdu, and speeches should be in Urdu. I have said this before, and in the future, I will be angry if it is ignored,” he said.