PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly descended into uproar on Wednesday as treasury lawmakers sharply criticised recent remarks by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, which they termed “insulting” to PTI founder Imran Khan and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The session — chaired by Deputy Speaker Suriyya Bibi — was abruptly adjourned after a noisy confrontation broke out when PML-N MPA Sobia Shahid held up a picture of Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The deputy speaker ordered security to remove the picture, reprimanding the lawmaker for “politicising the military leadership.”
Treasury Slams ISPR Remarks
PTI lawmakers accused the military spokesperson of worsening the already fragile political climate.
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MPA Mohammad Ajmal Khan said the DG ISPR’s press conference had deeply angered KP residents and warned that such statements from a military official should be avoided.
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He insisted the solution to national and regional challenges — including security issues and relations with Afghanistan — lay in political stability, not in “Governor’s Rule,” which he said would be unacceptable in KP.
Humayun Khan, another treasury member, criticised the military for “overstepping” its role, arguing:
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“The legislature, judiciary and executive are the pillars of the state — no institution can declare itself the state.”
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He questioned the need for the CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) post and said credit for the May 8 conflict with India belonged to the Air Force.
Opposition Defends Armed Forces
Opposition PML-N MPA Shahjahan Yousaf defended the military, praising the forces for defeating “a larger adversary” in the May clashes. He said PTI lawmakers should focus on provincial matters rather than national politics and congratulated Field Marshal Asim Munir on being appointed CDF.
Condemnation of Treatment of Imran Khan’s Sisters
Housing Minister Dr Amjad Ali condemned the use of water cannons on Imran Khan’s sisters during their protest outside Adiala Jail. He said government-paid officials should not hold “political pressers” and quipped that each ISPR briefing only strengthens Imran Khan’s popularity.
Uranium-Contaminated Water in Karak Raised
The assembly was also informed of a serious public health concern: KP currently lacks the facility to test uranium levels in drinking water supplied to Karak district.
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Housing minister Dr Amjad Ali condemned the use of water cannons against the sisters of the PTI’s founder during their protest sit-in staged outside Adiala Jail.https://t.co/Wg0crLr5dN
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 11, 2025
Public Health Engineering Minister Fazal Shakoor Khan said the province had asked the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority for assistance.
The issue was raised by PML-N’s Farah Khan, who voiced alarm over rising cases of cancer, kidney failure and other diseases in Shnawa Kudikhel and surrounding areas due to contaminated water. She questioned whether any functional filtration plants existed in the district.
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