‘An operation will only succeed if the public supports you,’ says Junaid Khan
Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, speaking at a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) rally in Karak on Sunday, highlighted the pending federal funds for the tribal districts, saying, “For the administration of the tribal areas, we have promised 100 billion from the tribal districts. The federal government owes 550 billion to these areas.
Afridi also highlighted securing additional federal funds and providing scholarships to local students, while emphasizing that peace and good governance remain the government’s main priority.
He added that the province’s share was being withheld, emphasizing: “They are withholding our share of 14.6 to 19.4 billion.” Afridi added: “The remaining 2,200 million from the NFC is owed by the federal government, and we will get it. »
The chief minister said the history of the region would change and promised action on development and governance. He highlighted ongoing projects, including the Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan highway and local pipeline projects, and pledged to equip the police with modern weapons and bulletproof vehicles.
“Good governance is essential. A package for all four regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be announced soon,” he added.
PTI leadership addresses rally
PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan and party activist Meena Khan also addressed the rally. Junaid Akbar congratulated the party leadership and thanked the locals for their support.
He defended the decisions of the party founder, condemned previous violence against civilians, particularly children, on November 26, and promised that the movement would continue peacefully. “Do as much injustice as you want, we will be vindicated,” he said.
Read: The Great Jirga rejects operations and calls for dialogue and peace
He stressed that public support was crucial for the success of any operation and called for dialogue and reconciliation which serves Pakistan’s interests. “An operation will only succeed if the public supports you,” he warned.
The D-Chowk protest on November 26 was part of a nationwide appeal by PTI founder Imran Khan demanding the restoration of the party’s electoral mandate, the release of jailed party members and the repeal of the 26th Amendment, which he said had strengthened a “dictatorial regime”. Supporters from across Pakistan gathered in Islamabad, where the state rejected negotiations and an operation ended the protest.
Meena Khan condemned the violence on November 26, describing the demonstration for the release of the founder as peaceful. She called for the elimination of corruption and stressed that the system must change before the founder can be released. “Now is Sohail Afridi’s opportunity to change this system. We will breathe easier once the founder is released.”
The rallies reflect the PTI’s continued mobilization in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the face of ongoing security operations and ongoing debates over governance and accountability in the province.
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Grand Jirga calls for dialogue in tribal districts
The Karak rally followed the Aman Jirga (peace assembly) held in Peshawar on Saturday. The jirga was attended by elders from Bajaur, Khyber and Waziristan, alongside PTI workers and community leaders carrying white flags reading ‘Only Peace’.
The gathering echoed a unified call for stability through consultation and urged the federal government to respect the will of the people of the merged districts.
Tribal elders and PTI members in the National Assembly opposed any further military operations in tribal districts, instead advocating dialogue, justice and development to ensure lasting peace.
Afridi urged the federal government to take the provincial government and tribal representatives into confidence before making decisions regarding the merged districts, warning: “This time we will not become scapegoats.”
Speaking at the jirga, tribal elder Malik Khan Marjan said terrorism could only be defeated through dialogue rather than military action. “All tribes stand with the chief minister. Decisions regarding tribal areas will be taken by the tribal jirga itself,” he said, adding that the elders were ready to engage with the provincial and federal governments, as well as the armed forces, under the leadership of Afridi.
MP Abdul Ghani said Afridi’s appointment marked a proud moment for the region. “After 77 years, a tribal son has once again donned the turban of chief minister,” he said, calling it a symbolic return to tribal representation.
