Newly elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, issued a stark warning to the federal government on Monday, declaring that no military operation will be conducted in the province without the explicit confidence of its people. In a fiery maiden address to the provincial assembly, the new leader strongly condemned past security strategies and positioned his administration in direct opposition to unilateral military actions.
Afridi challenged the federal government’s narrative, questioning the sudden need for military intervention. “When Murad Saeed and all of us were shouting that militants were being brought back, we were accused of lying,” he stated. “Then why are operations being conducted now? Were we lying then, or are you lying now?’
The Chief Minister emphasized that his government’s policy is aligned with his party leader, Imran Khan, who has consistently opposed force as a solution. ‘Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs to Imran Khan, and only his vision will prevail here,’ Afridi affirmed, adding that “decisions made behind closed doors for personal interests cannot solve our problems.’
He urged Islamabad to fundamentally reassess its Afghan policy and stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through collaboration. Afridi called on federal authorities to engage directly with the KP government, elected representatives, local councils, and tribal communities to devise lasting solutions.
Reiterating his opposition to forceful measures, the Chief Minister pointed to the ineffectiveness of previous military campaigns. ‘How many operations have you already conducted? Terrorism has returned each time – meaning military action is not the answer,’ he argued, observing that the global community is increasingly turning towards dialogue over conflict.
In his concluding remarks, Afridi framed his appointment as a significant moment for the province’s tribal population, which he said has long suffered from neglect and a sense of deprivation. “I don’t carry the name of Zardari, Bhutto, or Sharif. I belong to the tribal districts, and today, my people are celebrating because they finally feel represented,” he declared.