CM Afridi rejects govt’s claim of ‘voluntary displacement’; Claims govt wants to pit KP govt against security forces
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has rejected as “misleading and factually incorrect” the federal government’s claim that displacement of Tirah Valley residents from Khyber district is voluntary in nature.
Afridi, who belongs to Imran Khan’s PTI, has warned that if the notice is not withdrawn and no apology is made, he will call for a jirga of the Afridi tribe in the district.
Addressing rallies in different areas of KP, including Swat town in Mingora, the CM accused the federal governments of trying to pit the provincial government and state institutions against each other.
He announced that all future communications with the federal government will be documented in writing and supported by evidence, and that such tactics will not be allowed to succeed.
The Ministry of Information on Saturday became aware of “misleading claims” circulating about an alleged “depopulation” of the Tirah Valley by order of the army.
In a statement issued to the media, he said these claims were baseless, malicious and driven by ulterior motives aimed at creating alarm among the public, misinformation against security institutions and promoting vested political interests. He said the federal government and the Armed Forces had not issued any directive for the depopulation of Tirah.
Referring to the Khyber deputy commissioner, the statement, however, notes that “a voluntary movement” of the people of the valley reflects the opinions and preferences of the population, articulated through a representative jirga convened at the district level, “taking into account seasonal, logistical and contextual considerations, as well as a camp-free modality.”
Addressing another rally in Chakdara, the CM said the federal government’s recent notification claiming that those affected from Tirah migrated of their own free will was based on “open injustice” and “denial of facts”.
He said the people of Tirah are going through the harshest conditions and the root cause of these problems “is the fake government established under Form 47, which ignored the ground realities and left the people helpless.”
The CM warned against using the Pashtun regions as a testing ground for failed policies and stated that he would remain steadfast in defending the rights of the province and its people.
“These people impose decisions made in closed rooms, and when those decisions fail, they step back. Decisions imposed in secret often collapse when confronted with reality,” he said.
Declaring former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s imprisonment unjust, he described it as a political sacrifice and said the party and its supporters remain fully aligned with him.
He said the PTI street movement continues across Pakistan and the people of Swat and other parts of the country have clearly expressed their political will.
“Political parties that rely on financial or material incentives to mobilize their followers will eventually fade away as the dominant political voice in Pakistan remains that of Imran Khan.
“Unprecedented public enthusiasm was witnessed in Punjab, Sindh, Hazara, Peshawar region and Malakand. Supporters of Imran Khan’s vision have no political parallel,” he said.
The CM said that the mandate of the people belongs to PTI founder Imran Khan and he derives his legitimacy from that mandate.
Sohail Afridi claimed that multiple tactics were employed to prevent his appointment as KP chief minister, including constructing various narratives that portrayed him as associated with smugglers and militants.
“After attempts like the Governor’s Government and regime change failed, efforts are now being made to undermine public confidence in the PTI,” he added.
He rejected claims that his party is hostile to military or state institutions, saying that while they fully respect institutions, they do not accept decisions made behind closed doors without a public mandate.
“Attempts to damage the image of the party will not succeed,” he added.
The PTI street movement rally began in Mingora and concluded in Chakdara, with large-scale public participation and receptions along the route, culminating in a mass gathering in Chakdara.
In his final address at Chakdara, the CM thanked the participants for their magnificent reception and said that the people of Malakand region have once again proved that this region possesses the full capacity to firmly oppose oppression, tyranny and injustice.
“Public mobilization and Pashtun solidarity have sent a strong political message,” he said.
