PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the formulation of anti-terror policies, emphasizing that decisions made “behind closed doors” and “imposed” on the province have not yet yielded the desired outcomes.
Addressing the Aman Jirga, CM Afridi stated that despite the provincial government’s repeated calls for peace, some factions remain unresponsive. “Peace can only be achieved through the complete elimination of terrorism, but the current policy decisions are made in secrecy and have not produced effective results,” he remarked. Afridi, who assumed the role of chief executive last month replacing Ali Amin Gandapur, reiterated his stance that policy-making should be more inclusive.
In his inaugural speech in the provincial assembly, Afridi had criticized the federal government’s approach and called for local representatives, parliamentarians, elders, and the public to be involved in shaping anti-terror strategies. “We need to shift away from closed-door decision-making,” he emphasized, advocating for a collaborative approach involving politicians, security agencies, and community leaders. “A policy developed with all stakeholders’ input will be more widely accepted and will be instrumental in eradicating terrorism from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
The CM underscored that lasting peace can only be sustained through cooperation and that military action should be considered only as a last resort. “Military operations should be the final option,” he added, stressing the importance of alternative measures.He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s citizens in the ongoing fight against terrorism, noting that every participant in the Jirga had contributed to the nation’s security in their own capacity. “Politics may differ, but our shared goal is peace. When a bomb goes off, it does not discriminate between PTI, PPP, or any other party. Everyone has sacrificed,” he said.
Afridi appealed to all stakeholders to work together in developing a comprehensive solution to eradicate terrorism and assured that the provincial government would fully support efforts in this direction.Meanwhile, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), urged the KP government to prioritize provincial interests over political conflicts with the federal government. “Serious negotiations should be held with the federation to release funds under the NFC Award, and police powers need to be strengthened,” he emphasized.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s former chief Siraj-ul-Haq highlighted the burden borne by the people of KP, criticizing the neglect and lack of development in the province. “Inter-party disputes are costing the public dearly. Our province is suffering due to political disagreements and lack of attention,” he said.
Aftab Sherpao, Chairman of the Qaumi Watan Party, raised concerns over the law and order situation across many districts, pointing out that the government’s authority appears weak in several areas. “Ongoing military operations have caused fear, displacement, and hardship among local residents,” he added.
