CM says past operations devastated province as DG ISPR links rise in terrorism to ‘politically permissive environment’
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday turned emotional while responding to criticism from military leaders over his government’s anti-terrorism stance, saying he had already seen the devastation caused by past military operations and did not want them to happen again.
Addressing the convocation of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University in Peshawar, Afridi responded to remarks made the previous day by Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who questioned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s narrative on fighting terrorism and linked the rise in militant violence in the province to what he described as a “politically permissive environment” for terrorists.
In his press conference, the military spokesperson said that 80 percent of the terrorist incidents in the country took place in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It played video clips of senior PTI leaders, including Afridi, and posted screenshots of statements attributed to PTI founder Imran Khan questioning their opposition to military operations.
Taking a dig at the PTI, the DG ISPR said that a political and terrorist nexus was behind the surge in attacks in the province. He said the party was “resisting” anti-terrorism efforts in every forum and “seeking help from Afghanistan”.
Read: DG ISPR blames rise in terrorism on political environment in KP
Questioning the PTI’s stance, he said thousands of terrorist incidents had already occurred in the province. “And this is what you’re talking about? There’s no reason or logic – it’s just political rhetoric,” he said. “We must win the war against terrorism at all costs. We must win this war with strength.”
Afridi criticized what he called the mindset behind the press conference, saying he was “deeply hurt” by suggestions that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was being driven towards terrorism. He warned that decisions taken behind closed doors could be dangerous, stressing that preparations for military operations were underway.
Recalling the impact of previous operations, the chief minister said, “Our schools, hospitals and homes were damaged. Before the military operations, not a single person was begging. People were killed in drone strikes and blasts. Seeing our women forced to beg is a shame. Yet, we are ready to make sacrifices again to eliminate terrorism.”
The chief minister said families whose homes were destroyed had been promised compensation of Rs 400,000 per household, but many had still not received the money. “This is nothing less than a mockery of my province and its people,” he added.
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Becoming visibly emotional, he said, “I am with you. We will provide education and employment. If you see tears in my eyes, they are for your future, not out of fear. Those who claim that KP is being pushed into the mountains, we will give development instead.”
Afridi also claimed that the operations were politicized, saying there was a difference in intentions and that “only the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, is being targeted.”
He began his speech with a verse – “The pen is in my hand and enlightenment in my mind” – and urged the graduating students to serve the province and the country.
The chief minister also criticized the use of English at the ceremony, expressing displeasure that the vice-chancellor delivered her speech in English. “All universities have been ordered that our national language is Urdu and speeches should be in Urdu. I have said this before and in future I will be angry if this is ignored,” he said.
