Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday strongly condemned what he described as “provocative and inflammatory” remarks made by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) against Pakistan’s security forces, terming them baseless and intolerable.
In a strongly worded statement, Naqvi said that the Chief Minister’s comments were “factually incorrect” and amounted to an insult to the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for the country’s peace and security. “No patriotic person could utter such words about the gallant officers and soldiers who have sacrificed everything for the nation,” he said.
The Interior Minister accused the KP Chief Minister of attempting to “please the eternal enemy” through his remarks, adding that the entire nation and the international community recognize the unparalleled sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces in restoring peace and stability.
“The Chief Minister of the very province where the highest number of security personnel have embraced martyrdom has crossed all limits of ingratitude,” Naqvi stated. He said the comments were especially painful given the region’s history of immense sacrifices by law enforcement and military personnel.
Naqvi urged the Chief Minister to retract his statement and apologize to the nation, emphasizing that such rhetoric only serves to undermine the morale of those who continue to defend Pakistan against terrorism and external threats.
“The sacrifices of our security forces are a matter of national pride,” he said. “The Chief Minister must realize the gravity of his words and tender an unconditional apology to the nation.”
Separately, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday condemned remarks by the province’s Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, “disparaging the security forces and assailing counter-terrorism operations in KP.”
Taking to X and posting a video of the CM’s remarks, Kundi wrote that he condemned any rhetoric that undermined the “honour and sacrifice” of the armed forces.
“The brave sons of our soil lay down their lives to protect our province – questioning their intent in sensational terms only damages morale and public safety,” he wrote.
Kundi affirmed the importance of intelligence-based operations, stating that they were necessary to protect the public and were conducted solely to safeguard the population.
“Political debate must not cross into actions or words that weaken our security institutions,” he wrote. “[KP CM Afridi] should exercise restraint and place the safety and unity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa above partisan posturing.”
The governor maintained that KP’s security demands that all political forces stand with the armed forces to ensure peace in the province.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Union of Journalists (KUJ) took strong notice of the CM’s remarks and issued a statement expressing “deep concern and regret”.
“Dragging mosques and madrassas into political disputes in any way is a condemnable and irresponsible behaviour,” the statement read, quoting KUJ President Kashifuddin Syed.
“He (Syed) clarified that the sanctity of places of worship, respect for worshippers there and respect for the sacrifices of martyrs are obligatory on all of us,” the statement added. “Such statements cause chaos in society, hurt religious sentiments and increase suspicion against state institutions.”
Syed also paid tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces for their role in fighting terrorism and emphasised that “any attempt to make this important role controversial is tantamount to strengthening the enemy’s narrative,” according to the KUJ.
“The president of the Khyber Union of Journalists demanded that the chief minister should show responsibility and prudence in choosing words, not use religious places for politics, and issue statements keeping in mind the requirements of national unity,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council also condemned CM Afridi in a statement, calling it “misleading”.
“The speech made by KP CM regarding mosques is regrettable,” Maulana Tahir Ashrafi was quoted as saying.
“The statement made by the KP CM is also an attempt to tarnish the image of Pakistan,” Maulana Ashrafi said. “The Pakistan Army is the protector of mosques and madrasas, which will never be unsafe.”
The chairman added that the foundation of the Pakistan Army is “faith, piety, and jihad in the way of Allah” and that the army has fought a major war against terrorism and succeeded.
“The Pakistan Army is once again fighting the war imposed on Pakistan,” Maulana Ashrafi stated. “Terrorists have also come and committed terrorism in the mosques of the Pakistan Army.”