PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Sunday said his government would not become part of any “failed” policy, stressing that durable peace in the province, particularly in the merged tribal districts, could only be achieved through consultation with tribal elders and the provincial government.
Addressing a jirga of parliamentarians and elders from Bajaur tribal district at the Chief Minister’s House, Mr Afridi said peace had been restored in 2018 but alleged that deliberate attempts were now being made to destabilise the region again. He maintained that decisions taken without consultation had historically worsened the situation and called for inclusive decision-making involving all stakeholders.
Sources familiar with the meeting said law and order, ongoing security operations, and development schemes in Bajaur were discussed in detail. Participants reportedly emphasised that stability could not be ensured unless all relevant actors were aligned. Former governor Shaukatullah, who attended the jirga, said governments must operate with wisdom and consensus to normalise conditions.
Some jirga members highlighted the challenges faced by local communities during security operations. One participant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said elders had continued to protect their areas and prevented outsiders from taking refuge there, but added that the chief minister himself had limited authority to halt military actions.
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According to officials, development in the merged districts was another major focus of discussion. Mr Afridi assured participants that if the federal government failed to release promised funds, the provincial government would divert resources from other development projects to Bajaur. He said the federal government had committed Rs1 billion annually at the time of the merger of the former tribal areas with KP, but only Rs168 billion had been released over the past seven years. He also said funds under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) were not being provided.
Elders from Bajaur, Khyber and Kurram apprise chief minister of their issues. https://t.co/ToveQqJ01y
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 19, 2026
A statement from the Chief Minister’s House said jirga members offered suggestions for sustainable peace and expressed confidence in the chief minister’s leadership. Mr Afridi announced an increase in compensation for partially damaged houses in Bajaur from Rs160,000 to Rs500,000 following recent operations and directed an increase in the upper age limit for police recruitment in the merged districts.
In a separate jirga with elders from Kurram and Khyber districts, the chief minister said he understood the hardships caused by military operations and pledged continued support. He warned that sectarian disputes had caused significant harm and allowed hostile elements to exploit the situation. He said he would soon visit Kurram to address issues of displaced persons and ordered their registration within a week.
Separately, addressing PTI supporters in Mansehra during a street movement launched on the party founder Imran Khan’s directive, Mr Afridi said the mobilisation reflected public demand for political change and called for the release of the jailed former prime minister.
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