Sohail Afridi says Tirah Valley residents being evacuated at gunpoint

HARIPUR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that a military operation has been imposed in through decisions taken behind closed doors and that residents of Tirah Valley are being forcibly displaced in severe winter conditions.

Speaking at the University of Haripur’s fifth convocation ceremony, he said that people were being evicted at gunpoint and homes were being vacated under pressure.

He criticised those appearing on television who claim that residents are leaving because of snow and cold, saying no one abandons their home willingly in such circumstances.

“Unfortunately, our province is still begging for peace,” he said, adding that imposed wars should be kept away from the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“We do not need any war. If a war is imposed by a foreign country, the Pashtun will pick up the gun — but until then, the Pashtun will hold the book and the pen.”

Afridi alleged that “the government imposed on Pakistan does not serve the country’s interests, but rather seeks to transfer looted wealth abroad.”

Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to the University of Haripur, Afridi said many announcements had been made, questioning what progress had actually been delivered.

He said that his province has a tradition of hospitality and does not shut down markets or block roads when guests arrive.

The chief minister said that under the vision of PTI’s founding chairman, his government has focused on peace, education and health.

He said he would present his 100-day performance before the public, leaving it to people to judge.

Afridi said that spending on higher education had increased significantly, from Rs5 billion previously to Rs10 billion now.

He also said the provincial government was upgrading the healthcare system, addressing shortages in basic health units (BHUs), rural health centres (RHCs) and district headquarters hospitals (DHQs), with the aim of providing facilities at people’s doorsteps.

Afridi recalled that from 2018 to 2022, the province enjoyed peace and economic stability, with strong GDP growth, foreign investment, farmer welfare, health cards and shelter home programmes.

He again condemned the forced evacuation in Tirah, saying there was no federal assistance for the displaced, though the province had allocated funds for them.

He said homes, schools and mosques had been demolished in the past as well.

“I am chief minister with a public mandate. I share the pain of my people and stand with those who have sacrificed,” he said.

Afridi also awarded degrees to 621 graduating students, while 56 top students received gold medals.