Afridi slams Center over resurgence of terrorism

PESHAWAR:

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has claimed that the resurgence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a result of the “flawed policies of the federal government”, accusing the Center of withholding funds for the war on terrorism and other constitutional debts owed to the province.

He urged the federal government to release funds on time, saying this was essential for the provincial administration to strengthen its police force and effectively combat terrorism.

“Unfortunately, the federal government’s flawed policies have reignited terrorism in the province,” Afridi said in a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Press Secretary’s Office on Monday, following his first formal high-level meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Peshawar.

In his remarks, the newly elected prime minister, who took office amid a series of challenges facing the province, including growing terrorism, said he did not take the reins of power “to govern in the traditional way.”

Declaring zero tolerance towards corruption, he warned that anyone involved in corruption would face strict action.

“All government officials are public servants,” he said, adding, “if citizens are dissatisfied with any official, that official will not retain his position. I have not come to govern in the traditional way. We must work differently so that people feel that their vote for the PTI has really brought a change.”

CM Afridi also praised the provincial bureaucracy and police for ensuring that the popular vote prevailed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said attempts had been made on February 8, 2024 to undermine the public mandate in the province, but praised provincial officials for standing firm despite the pressure.

The prime minister praised them for upholding the province’s traditions, but regretted that some had not been able to resist political interference. He directed the chief secretary to identify such people and take strict action, noting that accountability must begin at home.

‘Difficult decisions’

Afridi also reaffirmed that the PTI rules KP under the lifetime leadership of the party’s jailed supremo Imran Khan and that it was the duty of the civil administration to implement the ruling party’s agenda.

“I will take difficult decisions to implement our party’s agenda, and they must be implemented,” he said, adding that no political figure would be arrested under Section 3 of the MPO, and no political FIR would be registered for revenge.

He stressed that freedom of expression and constructive criticism are constitutional rights and promised that KP’s political culture would be protected.

Placing law and order at the top of his government’s priorities, the CM pledged to provide modern funds and equipment to the police, saying no compromise would be made on security.

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the KP Police, he prayed for their families and acknowledged that “for decades, the KP Police has made unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism.”

He also ordered that no student be entered into FIR and no citizen be subjected to personal or political revenge, warning that “KP police should never become like Punjab police” and that torture would not be tolerated in jails.

The CM also ordered creation of special housing enclaves for police personnel and media professionals in provincial housing schemes.

Complaining to the federal Interior Ministry, Afridi said the bulletproof vehicles recently provided to the KP police were old and of poor quality, calling it “an insult to the force” and ordering their return to the Centre.

He also ordered that the security provided to former prime ministers be restored to ensure their protection and dignity.

The prime minister announced the establishment of a Tribal Medical College and a Tribal University of Modern Sciences with campuses in all the merged districts, along with tehsil-level gaming areas, a Safe City Project and the Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Modern and Investigative Journalism.

He also led preparations for a Peshawar Renaissance and Development Plan.

Afridi ordered authorities to integrate the E-PAD system with the provincial e-tendering mechanism, develop a conceptual examination system to end rote learning and enforce the two-year transfer and posting policy to eliminate recommendation culture and ensure merit.

Earlier, the meeting reviewed the provincial government’s good governance roadmap, law and order situation and anti-corruption measures.

The high-level meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, other Chief Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries and Senior Police Officers, while Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, RPOs and DPOs joined through video link.

Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of the roadmap and explained that its main objective is to improve the delivery of public services.

The plan, aligned with the PTI vision and manifesto, focuses on public service delivery, law and order and economic reform, with action plans for each department. Afridi was also briefed in detail on the security situation, terrorist incidents and ongoing efforts to strengthen the police force through the Provincial Action Plan.

Public Disclosure

Later, in a speech to the assembly, CM Afridi stated that he would use “all legal and constitutional avenues” to secure a meeting with the party founder and, if that meeting was blocked, he would take his case directly to the public.

Afridi began a three-day public campaign to present his position to voters across the province, saying he will address crowds in Charsadda on October 24, in Khyber on October 25 and in Karak on October 26. He also repeated his promise that the provincial cabinet would be formed only after a meeting with the founder.

Afridi accused the federal government of marginalizing KP’s rights and alleged obstruction on issues ranging from security equipment to the return of Afghan refugees. He reiterated repeatedly that he will not allow decisions made “behind closed doors” to be imposed on the inhabitants of the province.

“I will adopt all legal and constitutional means to meet the founder. If they do not give me permission, I will go to the people,” Afridi said. “On the 24th I will go to Charsadda, on the 25th to Khyber and on the 26th to Karak… I will present my case to the public and announce the roadmap for the future at the Karak rally.”

“If I speak for Imran, if I speak for the rights of the province and the tribal areas, I will raise my voice loudly,” he said, adding that the KP cabinet “will be constituted after meeting the founder.”

‘Immature movement’

On the other hand, Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry criticized the KP government for returning armored vehicles supplied by the federal government, calling the move “immature” and questioning the provincial administration’s use of Rs600 billion provided for counter-terrorism efforts.

Responding to CM Afridi’s claims about the vehicles, Talal Chaudhry said the bulletproof vehicles were “of international standard” and had been provided to protect KP police and security officials on the frontline of the war against terrorism.

“The federal government has so far provided Rs600 billion to the KP government to fight terrorism,” the minister said. “This money was given to strengthen the Civil Armed Forces, CTD and forensic laboratories. But where was this Rs 600 billion spent? To this day, no clear answer has been given.”

He said the Center had supplied security vehicles for use in high-risk areas, but the provincial government rejected them on the pretext of their poor quality. “These bulletproof vehicles meet global standards and can be effective in the fight against terrorism,” he said, adding that similar vehicles are used by federal ministers and senior officials in terror-affected areas.

Talal Chaudhry further stated that “wherever these vehicles have been used, casualties have been minimal.” He regretted that despite receiving huge sums of money from the Centre, police officers and KP soldiers were still being sent unprotected to dangerous areas.

“The brave officers and personnel of KP Police are being thrown before terrorists without adequate protection,” he said. “The federal Home Minister provided these vehicles in recognition of their sacrifices as they are on the frontline of the war against terrorism. These vehicles were meant to safeguard our soldiers and intensify the fight against militancy.”

He claimed that the vehicles not only met international standards but were also safe and modern, and that rejecting them reflected an “immature and youthful mentality.”

“For these people to become prime ministers is an injustice to the public,” he said. “This immature and naive way of thinking endangers the lives of police officers. It seems that the provincial government is not interested in the complete elimination of terrorists.”

Talal Chaudhry said that apart from these vehicles, the federal government had also procured bulletproof vests, binoculars and weapons to ensure quick eradication of terrorism.

“The federal government is cooperating with the KP government with complete sincerity in the fight against terrorism,” he said. “However, the childish thinking and political stubbornness of the provincial government are hampering the Centre’s efforts. The federal government will continue to extend its support to the KP police so that the terrorists can be eliminated at the earliest.”