Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has voiced serious reservations over the country’s security approach, claiming that policy decisions made after the change of government allowed militant elements to regain space in the province.

Speaking on the floor of the provincial assembly, he said that residents in several areas are currently being relocated against their will as part of security operations. He recalled that participants of earlier peace movements had cautioned that armed groups were descending from remote areas, and stressed that ignoring those warnings has led to the present situation where militants are visible in public spaces.

The chief minister described the difficult circumstances faced by civilians, stating that local populations are trapped between armed groups and security agencies. According to him, militants demand food through intimidation, while security forces penalize citizens if they are suspected of cooperating. “Either way, ordinary people are the ones paying the price,” he said.

Afridi argued that despite thousands of intelligence-led actions and numerous large-scale operations, stability has remained elusive. He emphasized that this failure cannot be placed solely on the provincial administration and noted that political and religious parties across the spectrum have rejected further military action.

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Raising concerns over evacuations from Tirah Valley, he said that families are being displaced during extreme winter conditions, where survival is difficult even for livestock. He alleged that attempts were made to damage his credibility in the past by attaching false labels to him, but said the public never accepted those accusations.

The chief minister maintained that pressure tactics have failed to silence him and said he continues to stand firmly alongside the people. He added that his recent visit to Tirah was met with strong public support, as residents viewed him as their legitimate voice.

He warned that decisions taken without public consultation would not be enforced and said that winter-time displacement has created serious backlash for its planners.
Commenting on a statement issued a day earlier, Afridi said it effectively rendered the 24-member committee irrelevant and also signaled a lack of trust in senior security leadership in Peshawar.
He announced that the provincial government has directed all departments to communicate with the federal authorities only through formal written correspondence, ending reliance on verbal commitments.

On the financial front, Afridi stated that outstanding dues of Rs52 billion related to internally displaced persons are still unpaid by the federal government. He further said the federation is carrying liabilities exceeding Rs4.7 trillion.

Referring to international financial assessments, he claimed massive corruption had been identified in Punjab, while Pakistan’s combined domestic and foreign debt has reached alarming levels. He added that the trade deficit has widened significantly, pushing the country toward economic instability.

Expressing concern over social and economic decline, the chief minister said farmers are struggling, young people are leaving the country in search of opportunities, and national institutions appear preoccupied with political targeting instead of governance.

He concluded by announcing that he would soon engage directly with the Afridi tribe and the wider Pashtun community to chart the next course of action.