KHYBER, Feb 1 (Alliance News): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday said he had received an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and would use the upcoming meeting to raise the province’s long-standing grievances, particularly issues related to internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the tribal districts.
Addressing a Peace Jirga in Khyber district, the chief minister accused the federal government of misappropriating billions of rupees meant for the rehabilitation of IDPs.
He said that when the KP government allocated Rs4 billion for displaced families, it was accused of corruption by the Centre, adding that his government would now allocate Rs100 billion for IDPs affected by displacement in tribal areas.
CM Afridi rejected allegations made by federal ministers that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government had mismanaged funds for families displaced from Tirah Valley.
He maintained that the KP government had acted transparently and in the best interest of the affected population.
Earlier in the day, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in Lahore that the KP government must clarify how the Rs4 billion allocated for the people of Tirah Valley was utilised.
He claimed that a jirga in Tirah had presented a charge sheet against the provincial government, alleging corruption and poor management of IDP funds.
The federal government has maintained that the movement of families from Tirah Valley was a routine seasonal migration due to harsh winter conditions, while the PTI has repeatedly asserted that the displacement occurred as a result of a military operation in the area.
During his address, CM Afridi also strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan that claimed the lives of 17 security personnel and 31 civilians. He said such incidents were part of a broader attempt to destabilise the country and undermine democratic governments.
The chief minister further warned of alleged moves to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that efforts were underway to remove him through judicial means.
He urged participants of the jirga to decide whether to return to Tirah Valley or march to Islamabad in protest against what he described as unjust treatment of the province.
According to participants, the jirga overwhelmingly supported the proposal to march to Islamabad by raising their hands. CM Afridi said he would visit all tribal districts before taking a final decision on launching the protest.
A day earlier, the Khyber Qaumi Jirga had demanded that both federal and provincial governments provide facilities and ensure the dignified rehabilitation of IDPs from Tirah Valley.
The jirga, organised by the Bara Seyasi Ittehad, was attended by political leaders, tribal elders, displaced families and other stakeholders, who called for immediate and concrete measures to address the hardships faced by displaced communities.
