PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, on Friday, visited Tirah Valley where he met the affectees of the recent Tirah operation and listened to their grievances. The Chief Minister issued on-the-spot directives for the immediate resolution of their problems.
Addressing the affectees, he said that what the people of Tirah are facing is completely unacceptable. Despite repeated failures, decisions are still being taken behind closed doors. After 22 major and nearly 14,000 small military operations, what guarantee is there that peace will now be established? he added.
The Chief Minister said that whenever, he demands a change in failed policies, they are labeled as supporters of terrorists, and when they call for consultation, they are accused of having links with smugglers.
He added that due to opposition to these policies, he and his tribe are being deliberately targeted. “ They know that my heart aches for my people, and that is why my land is being targeted,” he remarked.Muhammad Sohail Afridi said that his government has raised its voice for peace from day one. “We were against the operation yesterday, we are against it today, and we will remain against this failed policy in the future as well, because lasting and sustainable peace can only be achieved through a consensus-based policy formulated with the consultation of all stakeholders,” he said.
Reassuring the affected people, the Chief Minister said, “I am one of you, and I will stand by you until my last breath.” He criticized the operation for being launched through force and coercion, stating that after its announcement, people were pushed into grief and suffering and then left helpless.
He declared that the protection and dignity of the Tirah affectees is now his direct responsibility, warning that any negligence in addressing their issues would be intolerable.
The Chief Minister directed all relevant departments to take emergency measures to immediately reduce the hardships of the affected people. He also warned the administration that stopping people at various checkpoints and humiliating them by making them stand in queues would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He instructed that additional NADRA offices be established on an emergency basis to expedite the registration process and concluded by saying, “I promise my people that we will replace the gun with the pen.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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