- KP CM accuses the Center of misappropriating funds meant for the displaced people.
- CM Afridi warns of plot to impose governor’s rule in KP.
- The KP CM will decide on the protest in Islamabad after visiting the tribal districts.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday said he had received an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and would use the upcoming meeting to raise the province’s grievances.
Addressing the Peace Jirga in Khyber district, CM Afridi accused the Center of misappropriating billions meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the province.
“When I allocated 4 billion rupees, the federal government raised allegations of corruption,” he said, adding that the provincial government would instead allocate 100 billion rupees to the affected IDPs.
Federal ministers alleged that the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led KP government indulged in corrupt practices by allocating funds to migrant families in Tirah Valley.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore earlier in the day, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the KP government must explain where the Rs 4 billion allocated to the people of Tirah went.
The information minister said a jirga in Tirah had presented an indictment against the provincial government, alleging mismanagement and corruption.
While the PTI has repeatedly claimed that families in the valley had evacuated their homes due to a military operation, the federal government said the displacement was a routine seasonal process linked to the harsh winter conditions.
Meanwhile, CM Afridi condemned the terrorist attacks in Balochistan, which resulted in the martyrdom of 17 security forces personnel and 31 civilians.
He warned of “attempts to impose the governor’s power on KP”, insisting that attempts were being made to remove him through the courts.
He urged the jirga participants to decide whether to return to Tirah or go to Islamabad in protest. The participants reportedly raised their hands in favor of the march to Islamabad, showing their support for his plan.
“I will visit all the tribal districts before taking a final decision on the protest,” he added.
A day earlier, the Khyber Qaumi Jirga had demanded that the federal and provincial governments provide facilities to the displaced people of the Tirah Valley, The News reported.
A number of political leaders, tribal elders, displaced families and other stakeholders addressed the jirga, organized by the Bara Seyasi Ittehad.
They urged the government to show solidarity with the displaced families of Tirah and ensure their immediate and dignified rehabilitation.
