DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday criticised the use of drone strikes in the erstwhile Fata and past security policies for maintaining law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying they had contributed to rising militancy, and called for a unified political strategy to address the province’s security challenges.
Speaking at a meeting held in the provincial assembly on the recent law and order situation and reported drone incidents, the chief minister said that military operations and drone attacks had not proven effective in curbing terrorism.
Referring to the stance of PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan, he said such measures had long been opposed on the grounds that they could exacerbate violence rather than reduce it.
Mr Afridi said that policy decisions taken without public consultation had contributed to a renewed wave of militancy in the country. He stressed the need for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes.
The chief minister also raised concerns over alleged enforced disappearances under laws such as the Action in Aid of Civil Power, saying families were still waiting for missing relatives. He called for a review of such laws and urged that measures be taken to safeguard citizens’ rights.
He said that the people of tribal districts should be ensured the same level of security as those in other parts of the country, adding that the provincial government would raise its voice on the issue.
Mr Afridi urged all political stakeholders to come together to formulate a comprehensive policy for peace and stability in the province. He said the government was considering legislation to address civilian harm resulting from security operations.
He also claimed that there was broad consensus against civilian casualties and emphasised the importance of protecting innocent lives.
The chief minister further said that denial of gas supply to a resource-producing province was against constitutional principles, adding that the provincial government would soon announce a plan of action in this regard.
He announced that a jirga of tribal elders would be convened on Saturday to deliberate on the issue of drone strikes and broader security concerns.
