By Staff Reporter
PESHAWAR: The governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province accused the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Wednesday of triggering a mass evacuation from the restive Tirah Valley through inflammatory statements, escalating a bitter dispute with the provincial government over responsibility for the displacement of hundreds of residents.
Faisal Karim Kundi, speaking to reporters in the Bara tehsil of Khyber district where displaced families have sought shelter, said the provincial government’s repeated warnings of a potential military operation had driven the exodus, far exceeding typical seasonal migration patterns. “While there is typically around 20 percent migration during winters, it was between 50 to 60 percent this year,” Kundi said. “It is 50 to 60 percent this time because statements were repeatedly made that perhaps an operation will be conducted in Tirah, so people vacated their homes.” “In my opinion, people are suffering today due to the failure and weakness of our province’s government.”
The remarks come amid a war of words between the PTI-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal coalition government, dominated by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Kundi’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), over who initiated the evacuation ahead of anticipated anti-militant actions. Residents began leaving Tirah Valley in recent weeks, citing fears of clashes as security forces prepare to target terrorist hideouts under the National Action Plan (NAP), a counter-terrorism framework revised in 2021 during the PTI’s tenure at the federal level.
Kundi criticised the provincial authorities for issuing a “barrage of statements and compelling these people to leave the area,” saying evacuees only realised the situation differed upon reaching Bara. The displaced families are unusually staying in tent villages rather than with host relatives, a departure from past winters.
The governor said formal military operations are always preceded by official announcements and preparations. “Whenever a military operation was planned, official statements were issued and necessary preparations were made,” he said. Accompanying Kundi on the visit was provincial opposition leader Ibadullah Khan, a PML-N lawmaker, who called for depoliticising security matters. “Our visit aimed to meet the people who had come from Tirah and see the ground situation and the issues faced by the area residents,” Khan said. “This is our duty, these are our people.” He accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of exploiting the issue for political gain. “Unfortunately, the person who has government in this province is playing politics on everything,” Khan said. “Certain topics should not be politicised.”
Kundi extended an olive branch to the chief minister, urging dialogue with federal authorities to address grievances. As a PPP ally in the PML-N-led coalition, he offered to facilitate talks. “Therefore, we have always suggested to them that if they have any issue with the Centre, they should make a committee or a jirga and we are ready to accompany you,” Kundi said.
He lambasted the PTI for engaging with militants through jirgas while refusing similar engagements with Punjab or the federal government. “They are ready to work with the country’s enemies but not those who work for the country’s stability,” he added. “Come, let’s sit with Centre, with security agencies to bring peace in the province, as well as development and prosperity.”
In a separate development, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry accused the PTI government of fabricating narratives to conceal corruption in funds allocated for the Tirah relocation. In a televised address, Chaudhry claimed the provincial administration was misusing Rs4 billion approved for temporary resettlement, with much of it diverted improperly. “The army’s name is being taken to hide their performance, incompetence, lack of capability and their corruption in the Rs4bn dedicated for Tirah Valley,” he said.
Reiterating federal denials, Chaudhry said no official notification mentioned the central government or military initiating an operation. “As soon as people were relocated to other places from Tirah, and they (KP govt) were paid Rs4bn, due to which there was noise, and it was found out that their own people had retained more than half of the money for some other purpose, so a baseless narrative was created after that to hide it.” Chaudhry said. “Whenever an operation is planned, we will issue a notification and conduct it after informing everyone. We will take everyone onboard. Any kind of new operation or any operation is not taking place in Tirah Valley currently.”
Chaudhry clarified that ongoing actions fall under the NAP, with full provincial involvement. “Each action, each IB (intelligence-based) operation or other action – the KP government is a full participant and onboard with each action taken in KP or any process carried out under the National Action Plan.” He alleged the PTI was building a false political story to distract from scandals, citing a similar case in Kohistan where Rs14bn were recovered from a truck driver’s account. “But to make themselves appear good in the public’s eyes and make the army bad, lies are told,” Chaudhry said.
The minister affirmed that routine intelligence-based operations would continue with provincial cooperation, but accused the PTI of scapegoating the military to mask graft. “The action for which you are fully responsible, not just a participant, you pin the blame for it on someone else.”
The Tirah Valley, part of the federally administered tribal areas merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, has long been a hotspot for militant activity, with past operations displacing thousands. The current evacuations shows ongoing tensions between provincial autonomy and federal security imperatives in Pakistan’s northwest.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
