Newly elected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has firmly ruled out the possibility of any military operation in the province, emphasizing that such actions cannot resolve national challenges.
In his maiden address to the provincial assembly, Sohail Afridi aligned himself with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s long-standing opposition to armed operations. He stressed the importance of dialogue, unity, and inclusive decision-making in addressing key national and regional issues.
Speaking after being elected as the 30th Chief Minister, Afridi declared that no military operation would take place during his tenure. “Military operations are not a solution to any problem. Imran Khan is against operations, and as long as we are here, no such move will be allowed,” he said.
He urged that decisions concerning the province, especially the tribal areas, should not be made “in closed rooms.” Afridi called on national leaders to include the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in policy discussions related to security and border management.
Afridi Calls for Afghanistan Policy Review
The Chief Minister also stressed the need to reassess Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy. He noted that peace in the region depends on consultation and mutual understanding. “There was no issue with Afghanistan during Imran Khan’s tenure. Today, Afghans are being pushed out after 40 years. Any new policy must include input from tribal people and the KP government,” Sohail Afridi stated.
He criticized previous administrations for “trading the heads of Pakhtuns” and warned against policies that could reignite unrest in the region.
Loyalty to Imran Khan and Tribal Representation
Reaffirming his loyalty to Imran Khan, Afridi declared, “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs only to Imran Khan, and only he will run it.” He described himself as a grassroots politician who rose through struggle, not privilege. “My name is not Bhutto, Zardari, or Sharif — I reached here through hard work,” he said.
Afridi expressed pride in his tribal identity and stated that his election was symbolic of empowerment for the tribal districts. He thanked PTI’s leadership, former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and party supporters for their trust and backing.
He also praised PTI’s social media team for its dedication and paid tribute to slain journalist Arshad Sharif, calling him “the biggest martyr.”
In other news read more about PTI’s Sohail Afridi Elected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Securing 90 Votes
The new Chief Minister’s address highlighted his commitment to peaceful governance, inclusive policymaking, and loyalty to PTI’s vision for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
