Tribal areas were not a testing ground but home to people who had made immense sacrifices for the country: CM KP

Peshawar
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi paid a brief visit to District Khyber, where he addressed a jirga of local elders and residents in Tehsil Bara.
Speaking to the jirga, the Chief Minister said the elected democratic government of former Prime Minister Imran Khan was toppled through an illegal regime change operation, followed by a sustained campaign of false and orchestrated narratives against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He added that the party had countered those narratives and would continue to do so. The Chief Minister stated that the provincial government convened the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Grand Peace Jirga to ensure lasting peace in the province and the country. He said that the jirga included representation from all political and religious parties and every school of thought, and it presented a unanimous 15 point declaration. He clarified that the peace jirga had unanimously opposed any new military operation, however, attempts are now being made to sabotage this agreed peace agenda. He further said that a coordinated propaganda campaign is being carried out to create a false impression that permission for an operation has been granted.
The Chief Minister remarked that staging talk of an operation during heavy snowfall in Tirah is beyond comprehension. He added that under the guise of a self constructed terrorism narrative, efforts were being made to create an anti-government environment. “Had there been a genuine intent to restore peace, the provincial government would have been taken into confidence”, he clarified adding that decisions taken behind closed doors have always resulted in failure.
He made it clear that on the issue of any military operation, they stand firmly with the stance of Imran Khan. Referring to the tribal population, Sohail Afridi univocally stated that the tribal areas were not a testing ground but home to people who had made immense sacrifices for the country. He said those who had kept the tribal districts deprived for 78 years still wanted them to remain marginalised, but their designs would not be allowed to succeed. The Chief Minister said that at the time of the merger of former FATA, a commitment was made to provide one trillion rupees over ten years, which is yet to be fulfilled. He noted that due to the non release of federal funds, development projects in the merged districts have been adversely affected.
He emphasized that there will be no compromise on the rights of the merged districts and that the provincial government is working on a comprehensive development package worth one trillion rupees for these areas. He said that public needs in health, education and other social sectors will be given top priority. The Chief Minister further stated that preparations for the street movement are underway in accordance with the directives of Imran Khan, and that the movement will be taken to a decisive stage with full force and momentum.
He clarified that Imran Khan has delegated all authority regarding negotiations and resistance to the leadership of the Tehreek Tahaffuz e Aain Pakistan, and that Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf will stand by whatever decision the movement’s leadership takes. He also stated that no government representative has so far contacted him regarding negotiations or any other matter.
Later during the visit, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi visited the home of a medical patient, Zainab, in Jamrud, where he met the patient and special children present on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that he had promised to visit the child at her home, a promise which he fulfilled today.