PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi has called for a unified, non-partisan policy to combat terrorism, saying bombs do not differentiate between political parties.
Speaking at the KP Peace Jirga in the provincial assembly, Afridi said the province has suffered from the menace of terrorism for over two decades. “When we talk about peace, some people take offense. But peace cannot come through closed-door decisions — that policy must change now,” he said.
Afridi stressed the need for a long-term, decisive strategy. “We must act wisely and adopt a ‘once-for-all policy’ against terrorism,” he said, adding that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have made over 80,000 sacrifices for peace. “These sacrifices demand that the province be given its due rights.”
The chief minister said KP’s rightful share is Rs6.14 billion, which rises to 19 percent after the merger of the newly integrated tribal districts. “But we are still being denied our share,” he said. “The federal government owes us Rs200 billion in net hydel profit — it must pay what it owes.”
Afridi urged the federal government not to treat KP “like a stepmother’s child” and called on all political parties to unite for the province’s rights.
Discussing relations with Afghanistan, Afridi said Pakistan and Afghanistan share common cultural and social values. “We are Pakistanis and want these ties to remain strong. War should always be the last option,” he added.
The jirga was attended by political leaders, clerics, tribal elders, and parliamentarians, who discussed proposals for lasting peace, fair resource distribution, and cross-party consensus.
Meanwhile, amid the fresh wave of terrorism, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed ordered heightened security across sensitive locations in the province.
He directed RPOs and DPOs to reassess all security arrangements, particularly around judicial complexes, high courts, educational institutions, and police training centers. The IGP also ordered the establishment of additional check posts at all entry and exit points.
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The directive followed Tuesday’s suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s district court, which killed 12 people and injured more than 30. Police said the bomber’s severed head was recovered from the road.
