Afridi vows justice after cleric's killing

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has expressed deep concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the province.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to justice, Afridi re-vealed that strict directives had been issued to relevant author-ities to apprehend the killers of Maulana Muhammad Idrees. "I am personally reviewing progress on a daily basis. All available resources will be utilized to bring those involved in this inci-dent to justice," he vowed.

Chief Minister posed pointed questions: "Why are such inci-dents happening? Why are Pakhtuns still displaced and unsafe today?" He added that enemies of peace make no distinction between any party, school of thought, or organization, but are systematically targeting every effective and capable figure.

On Thursday, he visited Charsadda district to attend the Fatiha for the late Maulana Muhammad Idrees.

He also expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the grieving family, disciples, and associates of the slain religious leader.

Addressing the attendees, Afridi described the martyrdom of Maulana Muhammad Idrees as a monumental tragedy for the entire Muslim Ummah. "His religious, academic, and intellectu-al services will always be remembered," the Chief Minister said.

He noted that the massive turnout of people from all walks of life at the funeral prayer was clear evidence that Maulana Idrees was a figure who stood firmly for truth and righteous-ness. "The government and the people stand shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved family in this hour of grief," Afridi added.

Afridi traced the roots of the region's instability to 2002, when the state decided to engage in a proxy war. "Since then, this re-gion has been plagued by persistent unrest, terrorism, and bloodshed. For the past 23 years, our people have been carry-ing coffins. This must end now."

He further stated that all political and religious parties, along with various schools of thought, have rejected policies formu-lated behind closed doors on the assembly floor. "Yet, powerful circles continue to impose such policies on the nation at gun-point," he lamented.

Emphasizing collective responsibility, the Chief Minister said, "This is not the fight of a single individual, party, or class. This is our shared battle. We can no longer afford decisions made in closed rooms because the people demand peace."