Sohail Afridi Urges Consultation with KP Government and People
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday called for a major policy shift in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism approach. He urged federal authorities to include the KP government in policy-making related to security and military operations. He said lasting peace cannot be achieved without consulting the province most affected by terrorism.
The chief minister’s remarks came amid criticism from federal authorities. The centre has blamed the PTI-led KP government for failing to control the security situation. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi recently said the provincial government was disorganized and unable to meet its policy objectives.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Peshawar University, CM Afridi rejected these claims. He said the people of KP had long warned about the resurgence of terrorism. However, he added that these warnings were ignored and dismissed as propaganda.
“We warned them that terrorists were hiding in the mountains,” Afridi said. “We said they were entering our markets and homes. We were told we were spreading propaganda.”
Opposition to Closed-Door Decisions on Military Operations
The chief minister stressed that any future military operation must involve the people of KP. He said decisions taken behind closed doors only deepen mistrust and suffering. According to Afridi, counter-terrorism policies must be formed transparently and with broad consultation.
“There needs to be a policy shift,” he said. “But it should not happen behind closed doors.” He emphasized that the KP government, local communities, and all stakeholders must be taken into confidence.
Afridi warned that secretive decision-making had already cost the province heavily. He said people in KP have suffered for over 17 years due to poorly planned operations. He added that inclusive policy-making could help achieve long-term and sustainable peace.
The chief minister also accused the federal government of having different intentions. He said if the centre truly wanted to eradicate terrorism, it would have engaged the KP government in serious dialogue.
Human and Economic Cost of Terrorism Highlighted
CM Afridi highlighted the human and economic toll of terrorism and military operations. He said families often lose breadwinners due to terrorist attacks or collateral damage. As a result, many households face long-term financial hardship.
He recalled promises made to victims of terrorism. “We were told that families who lost homes would receive Rs400,000,” he said. “After all these sacrifices, they still have not received that money.”
Afridi said such failures increase resentment and suffering in already vulnerable communities. He stressed that compensation and rehabilitation must be part of any serious counter-terrorism strategy.
According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, violence has surged nationwide. Fatalities rose from 2,555 in 2024 to 3,417 in 2025. This marks an increase of 862 deaths, or a 34 percent rise.
The report noted that KP suffered the most. Fatalities in the province increased from 1,620 to 2,331. This accounts for over 82 percent of the national rise and reflects a 44 percent year-on-year surge.
Meanwhile, KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said on January 2 that police thwarted hundreds of terrorism-related plots. He said officers, especially in southern and merged districts, risked their lives to protect civilians.
Last year, KP police neutralized 459 terrorists and arrested over 1,300 militants. Among them were 29 high-value targets with head money. Police also recovered large quantities of explosives, grenades, weapons, and ammunition during thousands of intelligence-based operations.
