In-camera briefing on Tirah, Balochistan sought

ANP's Aimal highlights 'dire situation' in Tirah Valley

PESHAWAR:

Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan on Saturday sharply criticized the federal and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments for their handling of security challenges in Tirah Valley and Balochistan, calling their current approach "unbearable" for the public and indicative of state irresponsibility.

In a strongly worded statement, Khan questioned why Parliament's joint session, routinely convened for routine legislation, could not be summoned in-camera to address these grave and sensitive matters. "If a joint session of Parliament can be called for minor legislative matters, why not for the serious and sensitive issues of Tirah and Balochistan?" he asked.

Aimal highlighted the dire situation in Tirah Valley, where thousands of residents have faced mass displacement amid fears of military action against terrorists, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Recent reports indicate over 60,000 to 70,000 people, mostly women and children, evacuated the area in harsh winter conditions starting early January, following warnings and conflicting signals from federal and provincial authorities. The federal government has denied planning a large-scale operation, attributing displacements partly to seasonal weather, while provincial leaders have accused Islamabad of acting without consultation.

"The attitude of the federal and provincial governments toward Tirah has become intolerable for the people," Aimal said. "The residents are enduring severe hardships, with their lives and futures at stake, yet rulers in Islamabad and Peshawar are trading blame and issuing ridiculous statements instead of showing seriousness."

He emphasized that the core issue is not merely an "operation" but rampant terrorism. Khan accused both governments of making decisions behind closed doors and then abandoning the affected population. "This conduct is clear proof of state irresponsibility," he stated, adding that both administrations are accountable to the nation and Parliament and must disclose all facts transparently.

Turning to Balochistan, he expressed deep concern over recent multiple attacks across various locations, describing them as evidence of a major intelligence failure. Although some assaults were repelled, he warned that threats persist and require genuine resolve from the state and governments.

The ANP leader reaffirmed his party's longstanding and unwavering opposition to all forms of extremism and terrorism, insisting there can be no justification for such acts. However, he cautioned against using the pretext of counterterrorism to inflict further deprivation on communities, pointing to unresolved grievances, including missing persons, unfair resource distribution, royalties, provincial autonomy, and incomplete constitutional implementation, as exacerbating the situation.

Khan referenced a recent tragic suicide bombing at an Imambargah in Islamabad, which claimed dozens of lives and injured many during prayers, as a painful example of the prevailing grave security environment. He noted that the ANP has warned about such deteriorating conditions for years, only to face accusations and obstacles in response.