Afridi criticizes Center for Resurgence of Terrorism

PESHAWAR:

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has claimed that the resurgence of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a result of the “defective policies of the federal government”, accusing the Center of withholding war on terrorism funds and other constitutional dues due to the province.

He urged the federal government to release the funds in a timely manner, saying this was essential for the provincial administration to strengthen its police force and effectively combat terrorism.

“Unfortunately, the federal government’s misguided policies have reignited terrorism in the province,” Afridi said in a statement issued by the office of the Chief Minister’s Press Secretary on Monday, after his first formal high-level meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Peshawar.

In his remarks, the newly elected chief minister, who took over the reins of the country amid a host of challenges facing the province, including rising terrorism, assured that he did not take the reins of power “to rule in the traditional way”.

Declaring zero tolerance for corruption, he warned that anyone involved in corrupt acts would face strict action.

“All government officials are civil servants,” he said, adding: “If citizens are unhappy with a civil servant, he will not stay in office. I have failed to govern in the traditional way. We need to work differently so that people feel that their vote for the PTI has truly brought about change.”

CM Afridi also praised the provincial bureaucracy and police for ensuring that the people’s vote prevailed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that on February 8, 2024, an attempt was made to undermine public mandate in the province, but praised provincial officials for standing firm despite pressure.

The chief minister praised them for upholding the province’s traditions, but regretted that some had failed to resist political interference. He asked the chief secretary to identify such individuals and take strict action, noting that accountability must begin at the national level.

“Difficult decisions”

Afridi also reiterated that PTI is governing KP under the lifelong leadership of incarcerated party leader Imran Khan and it was the duty of the civil administration to implement the ruling party’s agenda.

“I will take tough decisions to implement our party’s agenda, and they must be implemented,” he said, adding that no political figure would be arrested under Section 3 of the MPO and no political FIR would be registered to take revenge.

He stressed that freedom of expression and constructive criticism are constitutional rights, promising that KP’s political culture would be protected.

Placing law and order at the top of his government’s priorities, the CM pledged to provide funds and modern equipment to the police, asserting that no compromise would be made on security.

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the KP Police, he prayed for their families and acknowledged that “for decades, the KP Police have made unparalleled sacrifices in the war against terrorism.”

He also ordered that no student be booked into FIRs and no citizen be targeted for personal or political vengeance, warning that “KP Police must never become like Punjab Police” and torture in jails would not be tolerated.

The CM also ordered creation of special housing enclaves for police personnel and media workers in provincial housing schemes.

Denouncing the Federal Ministry of Interior, Afridi said the bulletproof vehicles recently supplied to the KP Police were old and of poor quality, terming them an “insult to the force” and ordering their return to the Centre.

He also ordered that security provided to former chief ministers be restored to ensure their protection and dignity.

The chief minister announced the establishment of a tribal medical college and a tribal university of modern sciences with campuses in all the merged districts, along with playgrounds at tehsil level, a safe city project and the Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Investigation and Modern Journalism.

He also led the preparations for a plan for the revival and development of Peshawar.

Afridi asked the authorities to integrate the E-PAD system with the provincial e-tendering mechanism, develop a concept review system to end rote learning and implement the two-year secondment and transfer policy to eliminate the recommendation culture and ensure merit.

Previously, the meeting reviewed the provincial government’s roadmap on good governance, law and order situation and anti-corruption measures.

The chief secretary, inspector general of police, other chief secretaries, administrative secretaries and senior police officials participated in the high-level meeting, while divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, RPOs and DPOs joined through video link.

The officials briefed the chief minister on the progress of the roadmap, explaining that its main objective is to improve public service delivery.

The plan, aligned with the PTI’s vision and manifesto, focuses on public service delivery, law and order and economic reform, with action plans for each department. Afridi also received detailed briefings on the security situation, terrorist incidents and ongoing efforts to strengthen the police force through the Provincial Action Plan.

Public awareness

Later, in a speech to the assembly, CM Afridi said he would use “all legal and constitutional avenues” to secure a meeting with the party founder, and if that meeting was blocked, he would take his case directly to the public.

Afridi launched a three-day public campaign to present his position to voters across the province, saying he would address crowds in Charsadda on October 24, Khyber on October 25 and Karak on October 26. He also reiterated his promise that the provincial cabinet would be formed only after a meeting with the founder.

Afridi accused the federal government of marginalizing the rights of KP and being obstructive on issues ranging from security equipment to the return of Afghan refugees. He has repeatedly stressed that he will not allow decisions taken “behind closed doors” to be imposed on the population of the province.

“I will adopt all legal and constitutional avenues to meet the founder. If permission is not given, then I will address the people,” Afridi said. “On the 24th I will go to Charsadda, on the 25th to Khyber and on the 26th to Karak…I will present my case to the public and announce the road map for the future at the Karak rally.”

“If I speak about Imran, if I speak for the rights of the province and the tribal areas, I will raise my voice loud and clear,” he said, adding that the KP cabinet “will be constituted after meeting the founder”.

“An immature gesture”

On the other hand, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry slammed the KP government for returning bulletproof vehicles provided by the federal government, terming the move “immature” and questioning the provincial administration’s utilization of the Rs600 billion earmarked for counter-terrorism efforts.

Responding to CM Afridi’s claims regarding the vehicles, Talal Chaudhry said the bulletproof vehicles were “of international standard” and had been provided to protect KP police and security officials on the frontlines of the war against terrorism.

“The federal government has so far provided Rs 600 billion to the KP government to combat terrorism,” the minister said. “This money was given to strengthen the civilian armed forces, CTD and forensic laboratories. But where was this Rs 600 billion spent? To date, no clear answer has been given.”

He said the Center had provided security vehicles for use in high-risk areas, but the provincial government had refused them citing poor quality. “These bulletproof vehicles meet global standards and can be effective in the fight against terrorism,” he said, adding that similar vehicles are used by federal ministers and senior officials in terrorism-affected areas.

Talal Chaudhry further said that “wherever these vehicles were used, casualties were minimal.” He lamented that despite huge amounts received from the Centre, KP policemen and soldiers were still sent unprotected to dangerous areas.

“The brave officers and personnel of the KP Police are thrown in front of the terrorists without proper protection,” he said. “The Federal Minister of Interior provided these vehicles in recognition of their sacrifices, while on the frontlines of the war against terrorism. These vehicles were intended to protect our soldiers and intensify the fight against militancy.”

He said the vehicles were not only in line with international standards, but also safe and modern, and their rejection reflected an “immature and juvenile mindset”.

“Such people becoming chief ministers is an injustice to the public,” he said. “This immature and naive thinking endangers the lives of police officers. It seems that the provincial government is not interested in completely eliminating terrorists.”

Talal Chaudhry said that in addition to these vehicles, the federal government had also purchased body armor, binoculars and weapons to ensure speedy eradication of terrorism.

“The federal government is cooperating with the KP government with all sincerity in the fight against terrorism,” he said. “However, the provincial government’s childish thinking and political stubbornness are hampering the Centre’s efforts. The federal government will continue to extend support to the KP police so that the terrorists can be eliminated at the earliest.”