By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, the imprisoned founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and former prime minister, demanded an immediate halt to military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, urging his party’s lawmakers to resist the actions and drone strikes that he described as targeting “our own people.”
In a series of posts on his personal X account, Khan drew parallels to the unpopularity of the previous Awami National Party government in the province, which he said stemmed from its support for similar military efforts.
The posts were said to be based on his conversation with his sisters during a visit to Adiala Jail, where he is held. Khan does not have access to his X account while in prison, and it remains unclear who operates it on his behalf.
“Killing one’s own always leads to an increase in terrorism,” one post on the ex-PM’s official account stated. The messages directed all PTI members of provincial and national assemblies, as well as the Senate, who hail from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to unite in opposition. They were instructed “to come together and resist these operations and drone strikes against our own people, and to work for peace so that issues can be resolved through dialogue.”
Khan reiterated his preference for negotiations over military force, while criticising the forced repatriation of Afghans from Pakistan. “These measures must stop immediately, otherwise the situation will deteriorate further,” the post said.
He also voiced outrage over what he called attacks on his wife and sisters, insisting they had no involvement in politics. “Aleema Khan only conveys my message, while the campaign against her reflects the regime’s fear. Bushra Begum has never interfered in political decisions and is suffering solitary confinement only because she is my wife.” Khan further denounced what he termed “sham trials” aimed at stripping parliamentary seats from his allies. He highlighted the case of senior PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry, whose seat he said was “unlawfully” given to Rana Sanaullah.
The remarks come amid growing pushback against efforts to combat militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province bordering Afghanistan that has long grappled with insurgent activity. Officials, speaking to the Dawn newspaper on condition of anonymity, defended the ongoing targeted operation in Bajaur district as essential to preventing militants from spreading.
They described Bajaur as a “transit route” to nine other districts, warning that inaction could have “serious security implications” for at least 10 districts and exacerbate the province’s security challenges.
A civil administration official told Dawn that without containment in Bajaur’s upper areas, militants could have overrun the entire province. “The district serves as a transit route to nine districts of Malakand division as well as Katlang in Mardan. All these areas are interconnected,” the official said, listing Upper and Lower Dir, Shangla, Swat, Buner, Malakand, and Katlang in Mardan.
Another official emphasized the scale of the threat, saying the “threat projection was big” and that timely intervention had averted a worse crisis. The operation, the official added, prompted many militants to flee, with remnants now concentrated near the border.
Security forces have cleared 11 of 36 targeted areas, allowing more than 3,000 displaced families to return home. “We thought that Damadola and Kitkot with build-up areas would turn out to be tough. Militants have now retreated from the area and we are in the process of sanitisation before allowing people to return to their homes and hearths,” the official said.
Damadola, located about seven kilometers from the Afghan border, has been a militant stronghold for years. It drew global attention in January 2006 when U.S. drone strikes killed seminary students there; the attack was said to target Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, though Pakistan distanced itself from the operation.
Officials expressed optimism that, at the current pace, the remaining areas could be secured soon, enabling residents to return before winter. They suggested Bajaur could become a model for addressing militancy in other districts.
This operation marked the first instance of a targeted, area-specific approach that involved local communities. Residents were urged to encourage militants to depart, minimizing displacement and property damage. Authorities initiated discussions with local notables on July 30, with talks lasting 14 days. When militants refused to leave, residents agreed to evacuate for the operation.
Dawn reported that the notables recognized the state’s role in protecting life and property, authorizing security forces to reestablish control. They stressed efforts to limit property damage and provide compensation. As a result, 21,000 families were displaced: 8,200 sheltered in government buildings and 12,800 with community members. Notably, residents of six villages in Tarkho returned within five days of leaving on August 21. Six more areas were cleared by September 8, allowing further returns. The official noted that this framework allowed forces to act without risking high civilian casualties or extensive property destruction.
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