MINGORA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has strongly condemned the federal government’s notification regarding the evacuation of the Tirah Valley, warning that if the notification is not rescinded, he will convene a jirga (tribal council) of the entire Pashtun community.
Addressing participants of a street movement rally in Mingora, Afridi said the federal government’s notification misleadingly claimed that the Tirah Valley residents were voluntarily migrating. He demanded that the notification be withdrawn and an apology issued.
“If this notification is not reversed and an apology is not issued, I will call a jirga of the Afridi tribe, and then a jirga of the entire Pashtun community. If I am wrong, I will personally take the displaced victims back to Tirah,” he asserted.
Afridi also criticized the political interference in his leadership, pointing out that some Islamabad-based groups were attempting to discredit him. “Press conferences are being held in Peshawar, stating that Sohail Afridi’s name is not acceptable. No institution should meddle in politics. My name was given to me by my leader, and no one should have an objection to it,” he said.
The Chief Minister further revealed that attempts were made to prevent him from becoming the chief minister. When these attempts failed, he alleged that false narratives were created, labeling him as being allied with terrorists. “When all such narratives failed, I was given three options: either impose governor’s rule in the province, or declare me ineligible, or, ultimately, eliminate me,” Afridi disclosed.
He made it clear that such tactics would not deter him and emphasized his commitment to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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