PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has called for a unified and long-term national strategy to eradicate terrorism, stressing that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of militancy for over two decades and now deserves peace, stability, and fair treatment from the federation.
Addressing the Grand Peace Jirga at the Provincial Assembly on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said the time had come to move beyond short-term and reactionary policies. “We must shift from temporary measures to a collective, lasting policy for peace,” he told the gathering that also included the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Afridi lauded the broad participation in the jirga, calling it a “collective effort for a shared cause.” He noted that while political differences were natural in a democracy, peace remained a common goal that transcends all divisions.
“When terrorism strikes, it spares no one — regardless of political or religious affiliations. We must unite to develop a policy acceptable to all and capable of ensuring lasting peace,” he said.
The Chief Minister criticized the past practice of making security decisions behind closed doors, saying such secrecy had failed to deliver durable results. “We need a real policy shift — one that involves all political leaders, security institutions, civil society, and communities directly affected by violence,” he emphasized.
Highlighting KP’s immense sacrifices in the war against terror, Afridi said the province had lost thousands of soldiers, police officers, politicians, and civilians. Despite this, he said, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had never lost their resolve for peace.
Turning to financial challenges, the Chief Minister demanded that the federal government honour its constitutional and financial commitments to the province. He said that although the administrative merger of the erstwhile FATA had been completed, the financial integration was still pending.
According to him, if the merged districts were fully incorporated into the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, KP’s share should rise from 14.6 percent to 19.4 percent, equivalent to around Rs. 400 billion.
Afridi reminded Islamabad that it had committed Rs. 100 billion annually for the development of merged districts, of which Rs. 500 billion remained unpaid out of the total Rs. 700 billion. He further stated that the federal government owed KP Rs. 2,200 billion in net hydel profit arrears.
“We provide the country with electricity, gas, and other natural resources, yet our rightful dues are withheld. This stepmotherly treatment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is unacceptable,” he said, urging federal lawmakers from the province to raise the issue at the national level.
On Pak-Afghan relations, the Chief Minister stressed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be consulted in any bilateral dialogue, given its deep cultural, linguistic, and social ties with Afghanistan. He said that constructive engagement with Kabul could serve as a foundation for regional peace and stability, adding that “Pakistan seeks peace, and war should always remain a last resort.”
Concluding his address, Afridi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to lasting peace through inclusive dialogue, institutional cooperation, and effective resource mobilization. “This jirga represents the collective voice of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said. “Our shared mission is peace, stability, and a prosperous Pakistan.”
