Afridi blames 'closed-door' policies for militancy

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday said peace achieved in the K-P after years of sacrifices had been undermined by decisions taken "behind closed doors." Such unilateral decisions, he said, contributed to a renewed wave of militancy and instability in the province.

The remarks came during his visit to Bannu following a brazen terrorist attack on the Fateh Khel Police checkpoint which resulted in the martyrdom of 15 policemen.

He stated that by 2018, after immense sacrifices, peace had largely been restored in the province. However, since 2022, decisions imposed without public consultation had reversed those gains.

Afridi's party, the PTI, came to power after the 2018 general elections. Imran Khan's government was ousted in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote.

"Policies crafted behind closed doors have once again been imposed on the people, resulting in insecurity and instability," he said, adding that such approaches had pushed the province back into a cycle of violence.

Afridi further alleged that a certain mindset did not wish to see the Pashtun population prosper and instead sought to benefit from their suffering. He warned that unless all segments of society united for peace, the cycle of violence and funerals would continue.

"Silence in the face of imposed conditions will only perpetuate instability," he said, urging the public to stand for their rights and lasting peace. He reaffirmed that the provincial government and police would jointly confront terrorism with full resolve and take indiscriminate action against elements disrupting peace.